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2019 Top Private Universities in Rhode IslandAbout this List

The Top Private Universities ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along for millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares top private colleges and universities in each state. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

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  1. Brown University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 949
    1 Top Private Universities 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 949 Reviews

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

  2. Rhode Island School of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 307
    2 Top Private Universities 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 307 Reviews

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

  3. Providence College

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 752
    3 Top Private Universities 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 752 Reviews

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

  5. Bryant University

    • 4 Year
    • Smithfield, RI
    • 994
    4 Top Private Universities 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 994 Reviews

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

  6. Salve Regina University

    • 4 Year
    • Newport, RI
    • 671
    5 Top Private Universities 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 671 Reviews

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

  7. Roger Williams University

    • 4 Year
    • Bristol, RI
    • 847

    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
    • 79% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,275 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. New England Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • East Greenwich, RI
    • 360

    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 360 Reviews

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

  10. Johnson & Wales University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 2,657

    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 2,657 Reviews

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

  11. Roger Williams University School of Law

    • Bristol, RI
    • 11

    Freshman: This campus is absolutely gorgeous and in a very culturally rich area. The administrators are very easy to approach and are always available to help. I am very eager to begin my journey at Roger Williams University School of Law.
    Read 11 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • — Acceptance Rate
    • — Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?