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Rhode Island Colleges
Rhode Island colleges and universities offer exceptional academic programs across diverse fields. From Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution with its innovative Open Curriculum, to the University of Rhode Island (URI), the state's flagship public research university, Rhode Island's higher education landscape provides quality options for every student.
Other notable Rhode Island universities include Rhode Island College, Johnson & Wales University (renowned for culinary and hospitality programs), Providence College, Bryant University, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) for affordable two-year degrees.
Whether you're interested in liberal arts, engineering, business, nursing, culinary studies, or design, this comprehensive Rhode Island college guide explores each institution's programs, campus culture, and admission requirements to help prospective students find their perfect educational fit in the Ocean State.
Brown University
Providence, RI
Brown University in Providence, RI, is a private Ivy League research university founded in 1764, making it the seventh-oldest institution in the United States. Brown's distinctive Open Curriculum, adopted in 1969, allows students complete flexibility to customize their education without distribution requirements.
The university features the oldest applied mathematics and engineering programs in the Ivy League and includes the undergraduate College, Graduate School, Warren Alpert Medical School, and School of Engineering. With a highly selective 5% acceptance rate, Brown University attracts top students globally. Notable Brown alumni include 11 Nobel Prize winners and multiple Pulitzer Prize recipients, establishing Brown as a premier Rhode Island university and elite academic institution.
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI
Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, is a private university founded in 1863, renowned for its nationally recognized College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences. Located on a scenic 428-acre campus, Bryant emphasizes experiential learning that combines rigorous academics with real-world business experience.
Bryant's business programs include specialized tracks in accounting, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The university offers dedicated accounting scholarships and strong corporate partnerships that lead to high graduate employment rates. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on career preparation, Bryant University is a top choice for students seeking business education in Rhode Island and hands-on professional development.
Community College of RI
Multiple Locations, RI
Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is the state's only public community college and the largest community college in New England. Founded in 1964, CCRI serves over 16,000 students annually across multiple locations throughout Rhode Island.
CCRI campuses include the flagship Knight Campus in Warwick, along with locations in Lincoln, Providence, and Newport. The college offers affordable associate degree programs, certificate programs, and transfer pathways to Rhode Island four-year universities, making higher education accessible and affordable.
With low tuition rates, flexible scheduling, and strong partnerships with Rhode Island's universities, CCRI provides quality education for students seeking career training, professional development, or cost-effective pathways to bachelor's degrees.
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private university founded in 1914, nationally recognized for its hospitality and culinary arts programs. JWU is consistently ranked among the top culinary schools in America, featuring the prestigious Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence.
The university offers diverse programs across six colleges, including business, culinary arts, hospitality management, health and wellness, engineering, and arts and sciences. With state-of-the-art facilities like the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex and modern culinary labs, Johnson & Wales provides hands-on career education preparing students for success in hospitality, food service, business, and related industries throughout Rhode Island and beyond.
Naval War College
Newport, RI
Naval War College (NWC) at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, is the U.S. Navy's premier leadership institution, founded in 1884. Having graduated over 50,000 students, including senior military leaders from all service branches, NWC provides advanced military education and strategic leadership training.
The College of Naval Command and Staff (CNCS) offers graduate-level programs for U.S. military officers and senior defense civilians, covering Strategy and War, Theater Security Decision Making, and Joint Maritime Operations. Naval War College also provides distance education options, expanding access to its nationally recognized courses. As a cornerstone of Rhode Island military education, NWC continues developing strategic leaders for national defense.
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI
New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, is a private technical university founded in 1940, specializing in career-focused technology and trade education. The main campus features a 265,000-square-foot facility with advanced technical labs, modern classrooms, and a 400-bed residence hall, plus additional locations in Warwick.
NEIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and offers associate and bachelor's degree programs in high-demand fields including nursing, software engineering, architectural design, plumbing, HVAC, automotive technology, and electrical engineering. With hands-on training and industry partnerships, NEIT Rhode Island prepares students for immediate career success in technical and healthcare professions.
Providence College
Providence, RI
Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Catholic university founded in 1917 by the Dominican Order. With 4,800+ students, Providence College offers 47 undergraduate majors and 17 graduate programs, distinguished by its signature Development of Western Civilization core curriculum.
The 105-acre campus features 19 academic buildings, nine residence halls, and state-of-the-art athletic facilities. Providence College athletics compete in NCAA Division I as a founding member of the Big East Conference, with strong basketball and hockey programs. Combining rigorous liberal arts education with Dominican values of truth, service, and community, Providence College provides transformative education in the heart of Rhode Island's capital city.
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
Rhode Island College (RIC) in Providence, Rhode Island, is a public college founded in 1854, serving approximately 9,000 students across a 180-acre campus. RIC offers over 90 undergraduate programs and 30 graduate programs through five colleges: Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Development, Management, Nursing, and Social Work.
As Rhode Island's premier affordable public college, RIC provides quality education with low in-state tuition rates and flexible scheduling options. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics with 17 varsity teams. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Rhode Island College combines academic excellence with accessibility, making it a top choice for Rhode Island students seeking affordable higher education and career preparation.
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island, founded in 1877, is one of America's most prestigious art and design schools. With approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students, RISD offers bachelor's and master's programs across 19 majors including graphic design, illustration, industrial design, and fine arts.
The RISD Museum houses nearly 100,000 works, ranking among the largest college art museums in the United States. Through a unique partnership with Brown University, RISD students access cross-registration and dual degree opportunities. Notable RISD alumni include MacArthur Fellows, Academy Award winners, and influential designers shaping contemporary art, fashion, and design industries, making RISD a top choice for aspiring artists and designers.
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI
Roger Williams University (RWU) in Bristol, Rhode Island, is a private university founded in 1956, enrolling over 5,000 students across eight schools. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and nearly half of classes under 20 students, RWU provides personalized education in over 50 liberal arts and professional programs.
Roger Williams University is renowned for distinctive programs including Marine Biology, Architecture, Historic Preservation, Construction Management, and its School of Law—the only Juris Doctor program in Rhode Island. The scenic waterfront campus on Mount Hope Bay offers students hands-on learning opportunities combining liberal arts foundations with professional preparation, making RWU a premier choice for Rhode Island higher education and career-focused degree programs.
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI
Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, is a private Catholic university founded in 1934 by the Sisters of Mercy. With over 2,800 students, Salve Regina features a stunning 80-acre coastal campus set on historic Gilded Age estates overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, including three PhDs and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Salve Regina's nursing program is highly selective and nationally recognized. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics, with 18% of students participating in varsity sports.
With approximately 5,000 applications annually, Salve Regina provides generous financial aid options, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans, making quality Catholic education accessible in Newport's historic setting.
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island (URI) in Kingston, Rhode Island, is the state's flagship public research university and largest university, serving over 16,000 students. As a land-grant research university classified R2 for high research activity, URI offers 80 undergraduate programs and 49 graduate programs across nine academic schools.
With a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and over 43% of classes under 20 students, URI provides accessible education with strong research opportunities. Popular URI majors include Registered Nursing, Psychology, Kinesiology, Business, and Engineering. The university maintains an 84% freshman retention rate and offers extensive research facilities, Division I athletics, and coastal campus access, making URI Rhode Island's premier public higher education destination.