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2018 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.

Best Value
10 results

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Athletics

  1. Brown University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 942
    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 942 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
    • 993
    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 993 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
    • 751
    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 751 Reviews

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

  5. Rhode Island School of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 305
    4 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: As a Freshman at RISD, my perspective of RISD as a whole is limited. However, from what I've experienced, it's been overwhelmingly positive. The professors here are all skilled in a different areas, which makes Foundation year a very broad and interdisciplinary year. Indeed, students who want to focus on only one area of study find it tedious, but I found it very eye-opening. After all, I got the chance to work with mediums from paint to wood, which I've never touched. One truly exemplary part of RISD is the dining: they're very open to all types of eaters, and are open to change. If the food doesn't cover a wide enough spectrum, then there are methods of contacting the MET in order to change that. The MET staff are very kind and friendly, always open to conversation.
    Read 305 Reviews

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

  6. Salve Regina University

    • 4 Year
    • Newport, RI
    • 670
    5 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Niche User: My son toured over 21 college campuses and applied to 12. He got into to several colleges but chose Salve. He liked the smaller campus feel and absolutely loved the campus on the ocean filled with mansions. The main academic building (O'Hare) was recently renovated (I believe the upgrades were $26 million) including state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms. He loves the school and the key is to get involved with sports, clubs, volunteering, study groups, and social activities in the dorm. If you are looking for a large college or big time Division I sports, this is probably not your school. However, if you are looking for a solid school that is on the smaller side with a beautiful campus located in a resort town and personalized attention from professors then you should check out Salve Regina. We were overjoyed when our son said "I have no doubt this was the best choice for me and I love this place".
    Read 670 Reviews

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

  7. University of Rhode Island

    • 4 Year
    • Kingston, RI
    • 2,209
    6 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: I loved the University of Rhode Island because of its dedication to make its students happy. The school constantly made changes to keep its students entertained. There are always fun events planned for students that everyone can attend. URI provides you with excellent resources to make the absolute most out of your college experience. There are hundreds of clubs and ways to get involved on campus. I lived in a Living and Learning Community, which meant I lived in a dorm with people from my major. It really helped me succeed in my classes and introduced me to so many friends!
    Read 2,209 Reviews

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

    • 4 Year
    • Bristol, RI
    • 847
    7 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: My first year at RWU was challenging, memorable and rewarding. Not only did I learn in the classroom but I learned about myself as well. RWU gave me so many opportunities to better myself and advance in my major by allowing me to attend Model UN conferences with my peers which not only allowed me to meet people from many backgrounds but helped me become a better public speaker as well. Experiential learning was something I was thankful to be apart of my first year. For my public administration course, my classmates and I started our own sustainability club to promote environmental awareness. We sought a need for change in the way RWU handled sustainability and believed that as students we could make this change happen. We created something the university never had before and learned about public administration by being administrators in our club. We promoted sustainability which appealed to students and helped start a movement for different preservation efforts on campus.
    Read 847 Reviews

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

  10. Rhode Island College

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 925
    8 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: Rhode Island College is great! It's not perfect, but no college is. However, being a freshman, my transition from high school to college has been great. Most professors are super helpful and really like to challenge you. Campus safety is a goal that Rhode Island College strives to make their students feel. There is always RIC security driving through campus and many emergency push buttons all over. Which makes you feel very safe. The campus is small and beautiful and gives a home feeling like no other college I looked into. I am a commuter so I can not say what it is like living on campus. However the one downfall the college has is not enough parking spaces...Like ever. The school is mostly a commuter school which is cool, but parking can be horrendous depending on the time you have classes. Even with that one downfall RIC is an amazing school and I absolutely recommend looking into it!
    Read 925 Reviews

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

  11. New England Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • East Greenwich, RI
    • 356
    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 356 Reviews

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

  13. Johnson & Wales University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 2,653
    10 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Junior: I love Johnson & Wales University! As part of the Culinary Nutrition program, I feel challenged and pushed to my limit every single day and in every one of my classes and labs. I love the campus, my work-study job, the surrounding communities, and all the extra fun activities that happen within and around the city. All of the staff and faculty want nothing more than to see you succeed and will do anything they can to help you. It is one of the best places anyone can go to for support!
    Read 2,653 Reviews

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