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2019 Best Value Colleges in Rhode IslandAbout this List

Explore the colleges that are the best value for your money based on net price, alumni earnings, graduation rates, and student debt using data from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews. The ranking compares the most affordable colleges with the best return on investment. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 10 of 10
Best Value
10 results

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  1. Brown University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 954
    1 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: Brown University is an amazing place to go for undergrad. There's simply nowhere else that I'd rather spend four years learning and growing as a person. The open curriculum allows for lots of exploration and risk-taking in the classroom, and this culture bleeds into student life as well. The environment here is very relaxed and collaborative, and the students here are kind, accepting, and fun. And coming from a SoCal kid, the weather isn't even that bad! I've only been at Brown for one year, but I'm so glad I made the choice to come here when I was deciding between colleges last April.
    Read 954 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Value
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,264 Net Price
    • 1370-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. Bryant University

    • 4 Year
    • Smithfield, RI
    • 996
    2 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Alum: Really appreciate everything this school and it's people have me. I went to Bryant when it was Bryant College back in the early 90s. It was the times of change when a small not a well-known school was beginning to change. I am happy to see more and more Bryant graduates taking executive positions with the national companies as well as embarking on the entrepreneurial paths. Great work!
    Read 996 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Value
    • 67% Acceptance Rate
    • $36,490 Net Price
    • 1050-1220 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Providence College

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 758
    3 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: One thing I love about PC is the small-campus community feel while being able to see a new face every day. Being in Providence means there is always something to do or new to try. While it may not be the safest city, campus security helps make PC feel like it is in its own "bubble". Even though the food is not the best on campus, do not feel discouraged because the food off campus is always a hit! Dorms are mostly average, some are great while some of the older buildings definitely need renovation. Athletics are a big plus to this school whether you will be playing or in the audience. The school is strongly affiliated with the Catholic faith, however, all of the professors and Dominican Friars will be welcoming of all religious backgrounds. Also, PC may be lacking in diversity but I can tell they are trying to be more inclusive, especially when it comes to clubs and organizations. Overall, a great (and expensive) school. I am very proud to call myself a Friar!
    Read 758 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Value
    • 55% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,238 Net Price
    • 1030-1240 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  4. Sponsored

    Clark University

    • 4 Year
    • Worcester, MA
    • 711

    Freshman: It is a small liberal art college. you can go anywhere on campus within 10 minutes, and it helps a lot when you wake up late.
    Again, it is a small community, you would see familiar faces anywhere you I have never expected. People notice you easily, compared to big universities, and vice versa; It is easier to make diverse friends without being constrained in a certain "group."
    Clark is one of rare colleges that give substantial amount of scholarships to out of state students and even international students. Almost 70% of the total undergraduate students are out of sate and 15% are international.
    Professors are generally kind and generous.
    For the campus cafeteria, well, ice cream here is the best!
    The only thing I do not like is housing facilities, but other dorms in campus are much new than mine..so this might not matter.
    Read 711 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 57% Acceptance Rate
    • $26,350 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. University of Rhode Island

    • 4 Year
    • Kingston, RI
    • 2,231
    4 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: The University of Rhode Island is a great school for someone who doesn’t mind a large campus and student population. There is a wide variety of options for courses, majors, and minors. I have had great experiences with most of the professors as well. My biggest concern with URI is the influence that Greek Life has on the culture of the school. If you are interested in Greek Life, this is the school for you! If you aren’t, as I am not, than you run the risk of feeling obligated to rush a Sorority or Fraturnaty simply because other students are doing it.
    Read 2,231 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,391 Net Price
    • 970-1170 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Salve Regina University

    • 4 Year
    • Newport, RI
    • 679
    5 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Junior: The campus area is beautiful. It is just a few minute walk from the cliff-walk, where you can take a stroll and view the ocean and historic mansions. What makes Salve Regina different is that you may have classes in a historic mansion, or even live in a historic home. Classes are usually small, which makes it easy to connect to your professor and other students. Professors care about their students and the subjects that they are teaching. Because Salve is a university founded on Merciful values, you will learn in a way which opens you to have empathy. The only downfall of this university is that it has only one dining hall and the weather may be a bit rainy, cloudy or windy at times. However, the town of Newport is great because of its tasty restaurants and nice water scenery. For those who love the beach, small groups, and historic settings, this university may be right for you!
    Read 679 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,905 Net Price
    • 1020-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Rhode Island School of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 309
    6 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Alum: Excellent environment to grow artistically. Programs are rigorous and quite demanding on your time and skill levels. School is more for students who are brainy and critical thinkers so if you are just trying to build technical skills, this school is not for you. You'll run into best of the best many times over so it challenges you to be better! Campus life is so much fun and quite unique.
    Read 309 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 34% Acceptance Rate
    • $39,389 Net Price
    • 1080-1340 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. Rhode Island College

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 943
    7 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Junior: I’m a junior in the nursing program at RIC. RIC has one of the best nursing schools in New England, it’s hard work but it’s worth it in the end. The nursing professors are amazing! They’re always willing to help and give extra help if needed. They know what they’re doing making the program 100% better, and they want their students to succeed.
    Read 943 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 75% Acceptance Rate
    • $9,145 Net Price
    • 790-1020 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. Roger Williams University

    • 4 Year
    • Bristol, RI
    • 861
    8 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: Roger Williams has an unprecedented amount of untouched potential to not only be a great academic school but a great school for the community. Because of the blatant lack of diversity on the campus, Roger Williams falls short of being a dynamic and inclusive community to their students. The campus does not reflect what the world looks like which only hinders the students. With a majority of the students being the same skin color, growing up in the same communities and having similar backgrounds, it impacts the students that don't fall in the same catergories. Roger Williams has a high retention rate and one of the biggest reasons is because of the lack of diversity, the school's board does minimal to fix it. Education wise, the school hires professors that do their job well. The professors are professionals in their field and it shows during class. Students will be well equipped with knowledge of their field by the end of their four years.
    Read 861 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 79% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,275 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. New England Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • East Greenwich, RI
    • 363
    9 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: I have ben to New England of Institute of Technology twice now, and each time I went there the faculty was very helpful and kind. I love the campus, it is very beautiful and has access to a small plaza with restaurants and a movie theater! They are just now making dorms for the students as well; however it is quite expensive to live in the dorms, not to mention you can only live there for the first year, and then you have to move into an apartment complex. That is probably the thing I would like to change about NEIT, other than that, this school is fantastic!
    Read 363 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,183 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. Johnson & Wales University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 2,667
    10 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Graduate Student: I am a graduate student at the JWU Physician Assistant Studies program, and the staff and facilities are incredible. I moved up from Virginia to attend this program, and I have loved every minute of it. Providence is incredibly fun and I would definitely recommend it!
    Read 2,667 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Value
    • 88% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,227 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?