The Best Rhode Island Colleges

The Best Colleges in Rhode Island for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Rhode Island as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in Rhode Island is Brown University. The top rated public state college is University of Rhode Island. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Rhode Island Public Private 4 year

9 results

Brown University
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B
Providence, RI

Brown University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in America

  • 11,516enrollment
  • $26,608net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Rhode Island School of Design
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,540enrollment
  • $42,106net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1540SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.71Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Providence College
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P
Providence, RI

Providence College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,635enrollment
  • $46,645net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1400SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Bryant University
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B
Smithfield, RI

Bryant University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 3,592enrollment
  • $40,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Salve Regina University
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S
Newport, RI

Salve Regina University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $37,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1295SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Roger Williams University
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R
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,344enrollment
  • $37,936net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Rhode Island
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R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 17,351enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,372enrollment
  • $33,480net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Rhode Island College
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 5,767enrollment
  • $11,549net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 860-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.08Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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