Best Colleges in Rhode Island by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Rhode Island? We ranked all 10 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Brown University comes out on top at 96/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 10 Rhode Island colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 64/100, on an average net price of $32,260 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Brown University at 96/100.
Graduates of Brown University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $93,487. The lightest price tag belongs to Rhode Island College at $9,478 a year. The list below ranks every Rhode Island college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Rhode Island Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Brown UniversityProvidence, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$25,184/yrMedian earnings$93,48796ROI
- 2Bryant UniversitySmithfield, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$41,219/yrMedian earnings$90,00884ROI
- 3University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · PublicNet price$21,440/yrMedian earnings$69,74379ROI
- 4Providence CollegeProvidence, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$48,523/yrMedian earnings$87,05476ROI
- 5Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI · PublicNet price$9,478/yrMedian earnings$56,31869ROI
- 6Salve Regina UniversityNewport, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$36,967/yrMedian earnings$72,97569ROI
- 7Roger Williams UniversityBristol, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$37,999/yrMedian earnings$70,26663ROI
- 8Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$50,507/yrMedian earnings$68,14057ROI
- 9Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$31,027/yrMedian earnings$43,41827ROI
- 10Johnson & Wales University-OnlineProvidence, RI · Private NonprofitNet price$20,252/yrMedian earnings$43,41821ROI
Rhode Island College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Rhode Island?
Brown University has the highest ROI score in Rhode Island at 96/100, while the lowest net price among Rhode Island schools we track is $9,478/year at Rhode Island College. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Rhode Island?
The average net price across the 10 Rhode Island colleges in our dataset is $32,260 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Rhode Island college has the highest graduate earnings?
Brown University reports the highest median earnings among Rhode Island schools we scored, at $93,487 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Rhode Island did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 10 colleges in Rhode Island on return on investment. Of those, 7 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Rhode Island Schools by ROI Score
10 schools
Brown University
Providence, RI
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI
Providence College
Providence, RI
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, RI
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Providence, RI
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release