College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Rhode Island
With the College ROI Report, Rhode Island students and their families can choose a college based on the school’s return on investment.
There are lots of benefits to attending college in the Ocean State, and they extend above and beyond the fact that some of the best value schools in the country are found there. Despite being the smallest state in the U.S. in terms of area, Rhode Island is jam-packed with an abundance of exciting cultural and historical attractions, making it easy to learn more about the origins of our country.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Brown University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$799,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$324,000 | Graduation Rate:95% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$40,200 |
| Rank:2 | School Name: Bryant University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$614,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$266,000 | Graduation Rate:83% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$53,000 |
| Rank:3 | School Name:_50px.gif) University of Rhode Island (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$514,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$129,000 | Graduation Rate:72% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$45,400 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: Providence College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$453,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$292,000 | Graduation Rate:86% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$37,000 |
| Rank:5 | School Name:University of Rhode Island (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$443,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$200,000 | Graduation Rate:72% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$45,400 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: New England Institute of Technology (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$388,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$213,000 | Graduation Rate:50% | Typical Years to Graduate:- | Average Loan Amount:$36,600 |
| Rank:7 | School Name:_50px.png) Rhode Island School of Design (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$361,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$305,000 | Graduation Rate:91% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$28,600 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Roger Williams University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$348,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$236,000 | Graduation Rate:66% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$49,800 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Rhode Island College (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$286,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$104,000 | Graduation Rate:44% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$28,400 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Salve Regina University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$243,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$257,000 | Graduation Rate:76% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$45,800 |
Located in Providence’s College Hill historic district, the highly selective Brown University encompasses 143 acres ad is the seventh-oldest university in the United States. Brown is the leading producer of Fulbright scholars and counts more than 50 Rhodes scholars along its alumni.
Another school that delivers the college return on investment Rhode Island students and their families desire is the University of Rhode Island. Located in Kingston, which is in the southern part of the tiny state, URI offers 79 undergraduate degrees and 49 graduate degrees across its seven colleges. Its location in a traditional New England college town makes it a very attractive choice, and its well-rounded course offerings, including nursing, communication studies and psychology, are compelling as well. The school counts many accomplished alumni among its ranks, including CNN international correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
Bryant University is almost always among the best value colleges Rhode Island residents can consider. That’s especially true for students who are interested in pursuing business degrees, as that happens to be the school’s specialty. Its international business program is particularly well-known. Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and founded in 1863, Bryant University caters to business students who want to get the biggest bang for their educational buck.
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