Colleges by state
Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island
14 degree-granting colleges and universities in Rhode Island that take part in federal student aid programs, from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Colleges14
- Public311 private
- Four-year131 two-year
- Online programs11Report at least one fully online program
Widely offered majors in Rhode Island: Business Administration (11), Communications (10), Marketing (9), Accounting (9), Finance (9), Psychology (9).
| College | City | Type | Level | Online programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | Providence | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| Bryant University | Smithfield | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| College Unbound | Providence | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Public | Two-year | Yes |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | Providence | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence | Private nonprofit | Four-year | No |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| Providence College | Providence | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| Rhode Island College | Providence | Public | Four-year | Yes |
| Rhode Island School of Design | Providence | Private nonprofit | Four-year | No |
| Roger Williams University | Bristol | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| Roger Williams University School of Law | Bristol | Private nonprofit | Four-year | No |
| Salve Regina University | Newport | Private nonprofit | Four-year | Yes |
| University of Rhode Island | Kingston | Public | Four-year | Yes |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), IPEDS 2024-25 institutional characteristics (HD2024, IC2024). Links go to each school’s official website as reported to IPEDS. “Online programs” means the school reported at least one program offered entirely by distance education.
Colleges in Rhode Island: frequently asked questions
How many colleges are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has 14 degree-granting colleges and universities that take part in federal student aid programs, according to the latest U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) data.
How many public colleges are in Rhode Island?
3 public, 11 private nonprofit and 0 private for-profit.
How many community colleges and two-year colleges are in Rhode Island?
1 two-year college, including public two-year colleges such as Community College of Rhode Island.
How many four-year colleges and universities are in Rhode Island?
13 four-year colleges and universities, and 12 schools in Rhode Island offer graduate programs.
Which colleges in Rhode Island offer online programs?
11 colleges in Rhode Island reported offering at least one program entirely online. Use the college search with “Offers fully online programs” to see them, and check each school for specific online programs.
Which cities in Rhode Island have the most colleges?
Providence (7), Bristol (2), Smithfield (1), Warwick (1), and East Greenwich (1).
What majors are most widely offered at colleges in Rhode Island?
Among the 109 majors in this guide, the most widely offered in Rhode Island are Business Administration (11 schools), Communications (10 schools), Marketing (9 schools), Accounting (9 schools), Finance (9 schools), and Psychology (9 schools).
How do I find a college in Rhode Island that offers my major?
Use the college search with the state set to Rhode Island and choose your major, or filter by city or ZIP code.
Where does this list of Rhode Island colleges come from?
From the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS data (IPEDS 2024-25 institutional characteristics (HD2024, IC2024)). Confirm programs, costs and admission requirements on each school’s official website.
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