by our College Data Analytics TeamBrown University ranks #1 of 11 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Rhode Island ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 11 colleges average a 74% six-year graduation rate and $69,655 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, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **11** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 11 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.
Brown University leads the 11 ranked colleges in Rhode Island, followed by Providence College (#2) and Bryant University (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Brown University this year in Rhode Island. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Brown University graduates report median early-career earnings of $62,820. The median student debt is $13,025.
The strong outcomes at Providence College earned it the #2 place in Rhode Island. Based in Providence, RI, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. Providence College graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $63,550. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,208 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,833.
The strong outcomes at Bryant University earned it the #3 place in Rhode Island. Located in Smithfield, RI, Bryant University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,677. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,637. Graduates carry a median of $26,233 in student loans.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Rhode Island. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Median early-career earnings reach $52,821. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete a degree here.
Roger Williams University came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Rhode Island. Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, RI. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $45,197 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $48,664. Students borrow a median of $25,676 to complete a degree here.
Salve Regina University placed #6 among the best colleges in Rhode Island. Based in Newport, RI, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,100. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,636. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Providence, RI, Rhode Island School Of Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Early-career graduates earn a median of $29,894. Rhode Island School Of Design students take on a median of $26,943 in debt.
New England Institute Of Technology came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,275. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,055. Students borrow a median of $24,586 to complete a degree here.
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,982. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,920. The median student debt is $26,350.
Rhode Island College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Rhode Island College is a public school based in Providence, RI. Rhode Island College graduates 48% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,088. Graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans.
Johnson And Wales University Online placed #11 among the best colleges in Rhode Island. Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,365. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $26,225.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.