by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Rhode Island, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **8** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 8 graduate schools 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.
This is how starting salaries are distributed among the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Our analysis found Brown University to be the best graduate school in Rhode Island. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Median early-career earnings reach $62,820. Brown University students take on a median of $13,025 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Providence College, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Providence College graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $63,550 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $53,208. Graduates carry a median of $26,833 in student loans.
Out of the 8 graduate schools in Rhode Island in this year's ranking, Bryant University landed the #3 spot. Based in Smithfield, RI, Bryant University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,677. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,637 early in their careers. Bryant University students take on a median of $26,233 in debt.
The strong outcomes at University Of Rhode Island earned it the #4 place in Rhode Island. Located in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. University Of Rhode Island graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,821. University Of Rhode Island students take on a median of $23,432 in debt.
Salve Regina University came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Rhode Island. Set 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 run about $50,100. Salve Regina University graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,636. Typical student debt is $27,000.
Roger Williams University did well this year, earning the #6 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,664 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,676.
Rhode Island School Of Design placed #7 among the best graduate schools in Rhode Island. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,894 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,943 in student loans.
New England Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,275 in tuition and fees. New England Institute Of Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,055. Graduates carry a median of $24,586 in student loans.
Rhode Island College did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set 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. Rhode Island College graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,088. The median student debt is $23,394.
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #10 spot in Rhode Island this year. Located in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson And Wales University Providence posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $45,920. Graduates carry a median of $26,350 in student loans.
Johnson And Wales University Online did well this year, earning the #11 position. Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Students from in state pay about $13,365 in tuition and fees. Johnson And Wales University Online graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,678. Johnson And Wales University Online students take on a median of $27,012 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.