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2020 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
    • 979 reviews
    #1 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Junior: Brown University has been an incredible experience and has allowed me to pursue passions that I wasn't even aware I was interested in! The unique open curriculum allows students to take courses from a broad range of subjects and helps to ensure they find the right area of study. I personally believed I wanted to go into biomedical engineering, however, after taking a variety of classes at Brown in environmental studies, I have switched my major. Every teacher, student, and dean is so incredibly passionate about the work and everyone is constantly striving to be better which makes the University an amazing place and experience!
    Read 979 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Value
    • 8% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,651 Net Price
    • 1400-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. Bryant University

    • 4 Year
    • Smithfield, RI
    • 1,010 reviews
    #2 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: I'm a person who does not like to be away from home, after my first year (living on campus) I found that I've really evolved as a person. I love the community Bryant stands for. I'm glad to call it my home away from home! If there's anything I would change it would be a better interview/analysis of some of the professors. Some of the ones I had my first year sucked, and need more training to better teach/help the students with material.
    Read 1,010 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Value
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • $34,663 Net Price
    • 1050-1220 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Providence College

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 776 reviews
    #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 776 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Value
    • 52% Acceptance Rate
    • $36,099 Net Price
    • 1160-1330 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  4. University of Rhode Island

    • 4 Year
    • Kingston, RI
    • 2,305 reviews
    #4 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Graduate Student: I attended URI as an undergraduate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences department and I am now a graduate student pursuing my PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology. I loved URI and the campus. The campus is very nicely set up in tiers with the academic buildings and library being primarily at the top of campus, top of the hill. The dorms and dining halls in the middle, halfway up the hill. And then the athletic buildings and fields at the bottom of campus. Additionally, the professors in the College of Pharmacy are very good!
    Read 2,305 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 70% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,739 Net Price
    • 1050-1230 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Rhode Island School of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 316 reviews
    #5 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: RISD has an extremely busy schedule, mostly during your first (foundation) year. It's very challenging, but very possible if you're committed. Just don't expect to be goofing around too much or getting a lot of free time. With good time management you'll have fun and enough time to pursue things outside of school, but it's not a given. The attendance policy is extremely strict, so don't plan on being able to skip class, even for medical reasons. Speaking of medical reasons, Health Services is pretty bad. Overall though, if art is the thing for you, this is the place to be, and you will learn a lot.
    Read 316 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 32% Acceptance Rate
    • $39,777 Net Price
    • 1130-1370 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Salve Regina University

    • 4 Year
    • Newport, RI
    • 695 reviews
    #6 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: Salve Regina University is an amazing school! I toured many colleges but no other school is like Salve Regina University. The campus is beautiful. The campus is right next to the ocean and it is surrounded by historic mansions. It is also a very safe campus. All the professors are so nice and welcoming. The professors are very eager to help their students become successful. The Salve community is very welcoming and their are many clubs and athletic teams to participate in. The school offers different dorm options. All the dorms are very nice. The food selection is awesome. The cafeteria has all different types of foods, drinks, and snacks.
    Read 695 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 72% Acceptance Rate
    • $33,997 Net Price
    • 1020-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Rhode Island College

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 980 reviews
    #7 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Alum: Rhode Island College is an excellent school with a very supportive staff. The student community is tightnit, and there is something for everyone: small class sizes, knowledgeable professors, and a wide range of clubs activities, including Greek life. The campus has undergone renovations and is has beautiful facilities. Overall, RIC is a great bang for your buck if you're looking for an excellent education and location!
    Read 980 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 74% Acceptance Rate
    • $9,008 Net Price
    • 880-1090 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  8. Roger Williams University

    • 4 Year
    • Bristol, RI
    • 890 reviews
    #8 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: So far, so good! Deposit made. Housing chosen. Off we go! Everyone we have had the pleasure in dealing with throughout this preliminary period, has been wonderful! Beautiful school...the counselors, professors, and students that have answered questions and done tours, etc., have been outstanding! The N/As below are only because she hasn't started yet, so can't rate at the moment.
    Read 890 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 82% Acceptance Rate
    • $36,862 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  9. New England Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • East Greenwich, RI
    • 371 reviews
    #9 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Freshman: Overall I like NEIT because of the hands on experience you get in your field almost immediately. It focuses strictly on the career path that you are choosing and the schedule is already set up so you don't waste anytime getting the degree you want. I love that it also focuses helping students get jobs in their career field after school. There is internships built into the degree program, and they have job fairs with prospective employers multiple times a year. The campus is all up to date facilities and infrastructure. From my experience the teachers all have lots of experience in their field and are knowledgeable in their subject matter. The only negative thing is the price to go here.
    Read 371 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,538 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  12. Johnson & Wales University- Providence

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 2,704 reviews
    #10 Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

    Sophomore: I am an online student for JWU and am having an excellent experience so far with this university. My boyfriend is an alumni of the Providence campus and always has wonderful things to say about it. I think that was a strong contributing factor as to why I registered for their online program. Aside from the fact that they were able to offer a specific program that fulfills my interests, they have a very strong reputation for their academic successes. I am enrolled in their Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management program (SEEM) and I love it! My academic advisers, finical advisors, and professors have been very helpful along the way.
    Read 2,704 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Value
    • 88% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,165 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  13. Sponsored

    Montserrat College of Art

    • 4 Year
    • Beverly, MA
    • 127 reviews

    Freshman: They are many things that I liked about Montserrat since the first day I step there, one of them is how everyone respects people personalities, they gender and color. Another thing that I liked were my classes that they gave me, the classes are really interesting and practical. Something that surprised me in my orientation was how the college is not just one, it is divided in many buildings! I’m enjoying a lot and hopefully I will like more things about it.
    Read 127 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,777 Net Price
    Will You Get In?
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