Best Colleges in Rhode Island of 2024

It's no secret that Brown University is one of the most prestigious colleges in the state and, indeed, the country. Having been founded in 1764, Brown has been a cornerstone of United States education from the beginning. There are 80 majors to choose from, though prospective students should be aware that most programs have a very low acceptance rate compared to the number of applicants. Still, students who are accepted and complete these programs will be very competitive once they enter the career field, and graduates make an average of $150,000 per year. Finally, Brown has a well-earned reputation for having classes taught by some of the best professors in their respective fields.

There may be many religious institutions across Rhode Island, but Providence College is the only one that is run by Dominican Friars, and it's among the top Catholic schools in the U.S. Toward this end, the college offers over 50 majors and minors across diverse fields of study ranging from dance to engineering. Religious rituals and ceremonies are part of campus life, including mass and other worship opportunities. In addition, the college offers a whopping 300 study-abroad programs for those who long to travel. No matter what students major in, they must spend the first two years on a core curriculum in which they study western civilization.

Between its College of Business and its College of Arts and Sciences, Bryant University has almost 100 undergraduate and graduate courses to choose from. With an average acceptance rate of 73%, admittance to this college remains competitive. Those who are admitted will find an environment that provides practical skills for present issues, and many alumni secure careers with successful businesses worldwide. While the college focuses on preparing students for success and the world stage, the campus itself provides several activities intended to make students feel like one part of a growing family, and each member of that family is devoted to helping each other succeed.

With its 1,200-acre Kingston Campus, the University of Rhode Island provides plenty of room for students to stretch their legs and minds. The surrounding city is a small town, but students who live for the weekend will enjoy how easily they can drive to places like Boston, New York City, and Providence. Other campuses provide easy access to quality instruction, and students have 80 majors and 100 minors to choose from. Along with bachelor's programs, the university offers graduate studies in fields such as engineering, education, and business administration. Students can stay active and engaged between classes with 100 different campus organizations to potentially join.

The first thing visitors to Salve Regina University notice is the beauty of the campus. The campus may only be 80 acres, but its oceanfront location provides the kind of views the average student can only dream of. Since being founded by the Sisters of Mercy, this college has focused on providing diverse educational opportunities for diverse students. Along those lines, students have 58 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from. But there are also 25 certificate programs for those more focused on success in the workplace. In addition, with 200 study-abroad programs and an average 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Salve Regina University is a great place to learn.

New England Institute of Technology boasts an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which is far better than most colleges in both the state and the country. And with fewer than 1,800 students attending each year, students can look forward to very smaller classes (in fact, almost 99% of classes have fewer than 20 students in them). Despite being such a small college, this institution offers a wide variety of programs. This includes four certificate programs, 12 associate degrees, 11 bachelor's degrees, and five graduate degrees. On top of that, there are nine different online and hybrid programs to accommodate students with busy schedules. Students can study everything from business management to video game design, meaning that every student has a chance to pursue their passions.

Roger Williams University has positioned itself as a more streamlined educational experience to prepare students for successful 21st-century careers. There are only 45 majors, but their curricula have been designed with real-world application and problem-solving in mind. The small class sizes help keep students engaged with courses, and there are numerous opportunities to network and interface with local leaders, businesses, and other organizations. Students who enjoy the idea of traveling may wish to study abroad via the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs. Alternatively, students can kick back and relax by taking part in nearly 100 different clubs, organizations, and sports.

Rhode Island College offers an awesome 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This, combined with the small classes (58% of classes have fewer than 20 students) makes it easy to learn. And with eight areas of study and a combination of nearly 90 majors and minors, there are plenty of different things for students to learn. In addition to opportunities to learn, Rhode Island College provides plenty of opportunities to learn more about fellow students due to the relatively small enrollment (less than 5,300 students). This can help students form an intimate cohort with their fellow learners to make the next four years a major success.

Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private institution that prides itself on catering to the unique needs of its students. Diverse majors help students focus on business, health, arts, culinary arts, and so much more. Because over half of the students live on campus, the college also feels more like a small community than some of the other universities students can choose from. And students who choose to live on campus generally find the apartment-style living of a much higher quality than the average college dormitory. In addition to fellowship opportunities, campus life also provides a chance for students to experience everything from highly-competitive sports to world-class comedians.