by our College Data Analytics TeamRoger Williams University ranks #1 of 5 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Rhode Island ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 5 colleges average a 59% six-year graduation rate and $59,637 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Rhode Island, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **5** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 5 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Roger Williams University leads the 5 ranked colleges in Rhode Island, followed by New England Institute Of Technology (#2) and Johnson And Wales University Providence (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
Leading the list is Roger Williams University, our #1 college in Rhode Island. Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, RI. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $45,197 in tuition and fees. Roger Williams University graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,664. Graduates carry a median of $25,676 in student loans.
New England Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Rhode Island. This private not-for-profit school is set in East Greenwich, RI. Students from in state pay about $37,275 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,055 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,586.
A rank of #3 makes Johnson And Wales University Providence one of the top colleges in Rhode Island. Based in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,920 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,350 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Warwick, RI, Community College Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Community College Of Rhode Island graduates report median early-career earnings of $39,680. Graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans.
Out of the 5 colleges in Rhode Island in this year's ranking, Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #5 spot. Based in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,365. Median early-career earnings reach $40,678. Students borrow a median of $26,225 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.