by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Rhode Island, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked 20 programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated graduate schools across over 20 objective factors 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.
Your ideal graduate school depends on your goals. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
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Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
Leading the list is Brown University, our #1 graduate school 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. Median early-career earnings reach $62,820. Graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
A rank of #2 makes Providence College one of the top graduate schools in Rhode Island. Set in Providence, RI, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $63,550. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,208. The median student debt is $26,833.
You'll be in good company at Bryant University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Smithfield, RI, Bryant University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bryant University graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,677. Bryant University graduates report median early-career earnings of $66,637. Bryant University students take on a median of $26,233 in debt.
You'll be in good company at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $52,821. The median student debt is $23,432.
Out of the 20 graduate schools in Rhode Island in this year's ranking, Salve Regina University landed the #5 spot. Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit school based in Newport, RI. Salve Regina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,636. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Roger Williams University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bristol, RI. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,197. Roger Williams University graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,664. Typical student debt is $25,676.
Rhode Island School Of Design ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Providence, RI, Rhode Island School Of Design is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Early-career graduates earn a median of $29,894. Students borrow a median of $26,943 to complete a degree here.
New England Institute Of Technology came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,275. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,055 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,586.
Roger Williams University School Of Law came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Bristol, RI, Roger Williams University School Of Law is a private not-for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,777.
Rhode Island College landed the #10 spot in Rhode Island this year. This public school is set in Providence, RI. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Rhode Island College graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,088. The median student debt is $23,394.
Johnson And Wales University Providence placed #11 among the best graduate schools in Rhode Island. Set 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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,920. Students borrow a median of $26,350 to complete a degree here.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Warwick, RI. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Johnson And Wales University Online ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,365. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,678. Johnson And Wales University Online students take on a median of $27,012 in debt.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island placed #14 among the best graduate schools in Rhode Island. New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island is a private for-profit school based in Pawtucket, RI. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,146 early in their careers. New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island students take on a median of $9,885 in debt.
International Yacht Restoration School ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Newport, RI, International Yacht Restoration School is a private not-for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,663. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete a degree here.
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln placed #16 among the best graduate schools in Rhode Island. Located in Lincoln, RI, Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $33,272. Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln students take on a median of $11,562 in debt.
Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in East Providence, RI, Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $38,612. The median student debt is $9,326.
Empire Beauty School Warwick did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Empire Beauty School Warwick graduates report median early-career earnings of $18,639. Graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston is a private for-profit school based in Cranston, RI. Graduates go on to earn a median of $16,082 early in their careers. The median student debt is $11,200.
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Cranston, RI, Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $16,464. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.