RIC Housing Costs

$1,440 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

How Much Will it Cost to Live at RIC?

Understanding all of the expenses related to attending college can allow you to make the best decision at Rhode Island College.

On this page you will find:

Outline of Housing Costs
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Living Expenses at RIC

Housing and meal plans are priced out separately here. The standard student paid $7,706 in 2026, with the price of an average meal plan at $6,561. Altogether, a typical on-campus student at Rhode Island College can expect to spend about $17,494 in 2026 across housing, dining, books and other living expenses.

The table below shows the expected costs of on-campus and off-campus housing and dining plans for Rhode Island College.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$14,854	$16,888
— Housing	$7,706
— Meals	$6,561
Other Living Expenses	$1,440	$2,200
Books and Supplies	$1,200	$1,200
Total	$17,494	$20,288

The Projected Cost of Living On Campus? Projected Four-Year Cost: $68,355

Like tuition, room and board usually rises a little each year. Looking at the trend gives you a realistic picture of what you will actually spend by graduation.

At the projected rate, four years of on-campus living costs would total roughly $68,355 by the time you graduate.

Below is how room and board has changed across recent reported years — and where current trends point — at Rhode Island College.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$15,362
Two Years Ago	$14,904
One Year Ago	$15,159
Most Recent Year (2026)	$14,854
One Year From Now *	$14,690
Two Years From Now *	$14,528
Three Years From Now *	$14,368
Four Years From Now *	$14,209

* estimated

Year over year, room and board actually decreased — schools occasionally restate prior figures, so do not assume the drop continues.

Plan for Cost Creep

Room and board tends to rise year over year at most schools, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.

Answers to Questions About Living and Dining at RIC

Meal plans differ by school; some use a card balance while this school offers plans based on meals per week. The table below shows the maximum number of meals per week available. The table below outlines what this school reports about on-campus housing.