State Hub

Colleges in Rhode Island

CampusPin tracks 14 colleges in Rhode Island — 13 universities and 1 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

14

Universities

13

Community colleges

1

Avg. in-state tuition

$36k

About college search in Rhode Island

How Rhode Island's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by area and operates a compact public higher-education sector: the University of Rhode Island (URI, Kingston flagship), Rhode Island College (Providence), and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI — operating four campuses statewide). Private institutions are unusually deep for the state’s size: Brown University (Ivy League, Providence), Providence College, Bryant University (Smithfield), Roger Williams (Bristol), Salve Regina (Newport), Johnson & Wales, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). The Rhode Island Promise covers community-college tuition for eligible recent high school graduates.

URI as flagship

The University of Rhode Island in Kingston is the state’s public flagship and land-grant institution.

Brown University

Brown, in Providence, is one of the eight Ivy League universities. It is private.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

RISD, in Providence (adjacent to Brown), is one of the most prominent art and design colleges in the U.S.

Rhode Island Promise

The Rhode Island Promise covers community-college tuition at CCRI for eligible recent Rhode Island high school graduates.

Public university system

Rhode Island public higher education

Rhode Island operates three public institutions: URI (Kingston), Rhode Island College (Providence), and CCRI (community college, four campuses).

Community college network

Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)

CCRI is the state’s single community college, operating four campuses (Warwick, Lincoln, Newport, Providence) under unified governance with formal transfer paths to URI and Rhode Island College.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Rhode Island in-state public tuition is in the mid-range of New England. The Rhode Island Promise covers community-college tuition for eligible recent high school graduates. NEBHE Tuition Break may reduce out-of-state cost at other New England publics.

Top metros for college search

Where Rhode Island's higher-education density concentrates

  • Providence metro

    Providence concentrates Brown University, RISD, Providence College, Johnson & Wales, Rhode Island College, and Roger Williams (nearby Bristol).

  • Kingston / South County

    Kingston is the home of the University of Rhode Island.

  • Newport

    Newport hosts Salve Regina University (private) and the U.S. Naval War College.

Northeast region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Rhode Island

Across Rhode Island (RI), CampusPin currently indexes 14 institutions: 3 public and 11 private, split between 13 universities and 1 community colleges. Students often need to weigh dense geography, cost variation, and the difference between urban access and residential campus feel.

Compare commute realities, housing expectations, and total cost, not just sticker price.
Separate highly selective options from practical-fit schools so shortlist decisions stay grounded.
Use public-system and transfer routes when you want flexibility without abandoning strong outcomes.

Browse by major

Rhode Island colleges by program

Jump straight to Rhode Island colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Rhode Island.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Rhode Island

Filter all Rhode Island schools

How to use the Rhode Island hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Rhode Island so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Rhode Island

Explore all colleges in Rhode IslandView community colleges in Rhode IslandView online programs in Rhode IslandRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Rhode Island

Which is the public flagship university in Rhode Island?
The University of Rhode Island (URI) in Kingston is the state’s public flagship and land-grant institution.
Is Brown University in the Ivy League?
Yes. Brown University, in Providence, is one of the eight Ivy League universities. It is private.
How many HBCUs are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has no federally designated HBCUs.
How does the Rhode Island Promise work?
The Rhode Island Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) for eligible recent Rhode Island high school graduates. Verify current eligibility with CCRI.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Rhode Island search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Rhode Island

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.