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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
    • 953
    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 953 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
    • 309
    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 309 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
    • 758
    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 758 Reviews

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

    • 4 Year
    • Worcester, MA
    • 638

    Sophomore: I began my experience at WPI when I was a little girl going to my dad’s work, seeing his lab and wanting to be a scientist there just like him. I now attend school there and work in the psychology lab and study psychological science. WPI is on the smaller side and allows me to navigate, build relationships with my professors and easily recognize people all around campus. The reputation and opportunities the school has to offer are incredible. They really set you up for a career after graduation. One thing I want to see change is the diversity in majors and growing the humanities department. Science and math mixed with cultural studies, english, religion, language and psychology would make an even more well rounded individual and school. Overall I love my experience.
    Read 638 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 48% Acceptance Rate
    • $40,666 Net Price
    • 1310-1480 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Bryant University

    • 4 Year
    • Smithfield, RI
    • 996
    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 996 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
    • 679
    5 Top Private Universities 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
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,905 Net Price
    • 1020-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Roger Williams University

    • 4 Year
    • Bristol, RI
    • 861

    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
    • 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
    • 363

    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
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,183 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. Johnson & Wales University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 2,663

    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 2,663 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?