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2021 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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Student Body Size

Enrollment for full-time undergraduates. Small: Less than 5,000, Medium: 5-15,000, Large: More than 15,000.

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HBCU

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Selectivity based on acceptance rate. Extremely Selective: < 15%, Very Selective: 15%-30%, Selective: 30%-60%, Average: 60%-90%, Not Selective: > 90%.

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Religious Affiliation

A critical mass of the student body falls within the specified group, low and middle income students pay a reasonable net price, the school participates in tuition relief programs for veterans, and the school's overall Niche Grade is above a B-.

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Starting Salary after Graduation

Median salary of all students at the school employed 2 years after graduation.

1 – 9 of 9

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Brown University
4 Year
Providence, RI
1,011 reviews
#1 Top Private Universities 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 1,011 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
8% Acceptance Rate
$27,238 Net Price
1420-1550 SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Virtual Tour
Rhode Island School of Design
4 Year
Providence, RI
330 reviews
#2 Top Private Universities in Rhode Island
Sophomore: Really top of the notch art school. Everyone here definitely was the best at their school or in their city and it's very competitive, but not in a toxic way because nobody's really overcompensating for lack of talent. A lot of students here already have careers comparable to professionals or at least post-graduates; some have exhibited at national or international events, working at very elite companies, and a few even run businesses already. The food is also amazing? Culinary students from nearby work there and like... having access to a sushi/soup/salad/sandwich/grille bar and a wood-fired pizza oven makes coping with the long hard hours a little less harsh. Not a lot to do in Providence so you really have no choice but to focus on work. Don't come here if you aren't 100% serious about art and dedicated to it or you'll struggle, but if you live and breathe art you'll fit right in and find the pace and workload inspiring.
Read 330 Reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
24% Acceptance Rate
$39,289 Net Price
1180-1440 SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Providence College
4 Year
Providence, RI
797 reviews
#3 Top Private Universities in Rhode Island
Freshman: Not my first choice but I’ve never been happier. Some kids here are privileged, shallow, and disconnected, but if you look around you will find amazing people that fit your vibe. Classes are amazing, the professors really want you to succeed and the small class size allows you to get to know them more personally. It’s an amazing place to network. Party scene is there if you want it, but there’s always something to do if you’re not into that. They improved the food second semester and it was really going great! The college could definitely be more diverse and welcoming towards low income students, but there are safe spaces and good and down to earth people, you just need to know where to look.
Read 797 Reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
49% Acceptance Rate
$37,842 Net Price
1210-1360 SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Virtual Tour
Bryant University
4 Year
Smithfield, RI
1,038 reviews
#4 Top Private Universities in Rhode Island
Niche User: I enjoyed the overall mood of Bryant’s campus. Everything and everyone is focussed on business. Bryant is definitely a business school. Lots of companies source interns from Bryant, with many students having careers set up by junior year! If Bryant was in a better location and had a larger student body I think it would be in the running for the top business school in America.
Read 1,038 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
76% Acceptance Rate
$38,102 Net Price
1050-1220 SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Salve Regina University
4 Year
Newport, RI
724 reviews
#5 Top Private Universities in Rhode Island
Sophomore: Choosing Salve Regina was one of the best/easiest decisions I've ever made. It has definitely turned into much more than a school for me; it's become a home away from home. Everyone on campus is super welcoming, the professors are very accommodating and able to answer any questions I have, and the community has turned into one big family for me. I've already made life-long friendships, and, being such a small campus, I was able to develop close relationships with my professors starting freshman year. There are tons of helpful resources available to students all over campus, which help with anything from homesickness to getting a little extra help in Bio-101. I am forever grateful for what Salve has done for me so far and recommend anyone interested in the school to reach out admissions! They are extremely helpful and are there to answer any questions you have!
Read 724 Reviews
B
Overall Niche Grade
76% Acceptance Rate
$33,291 Net Price
1020-1190 SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Virtual Tour
Roger Williams University
4 Year
Bristol, RI
925 reviews
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 925 Reviews
B-
Overall Niche Grade
86% Acceptance Rate
$37,138 Net Price
— SAT Range
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Virtual Tour
Johnson & Wales University- Providence
4 Year
Providence, RI
2,747 reviews
Alum: Overall happy with JWU! I graduated in 2018. Great if you're interested in: hospitality/business/culinary. Easy to get into & easy to finish in 3 years.Spent a lot of money for tuition/ books, but that is the case for most schools. Decent classes. Some professors are better than others, read up on professor ratings. As long as you do the work well you can maintain a strong GPA, it's not too challenging. A lot of group work. Campus clubs are okay, not a lot of student involvement, but find something you like! Great study abroad programs! I went to Berlin, which is offered to freshman too! DO it! A lot of house parties/18+bar nights. Nightlife was a lot of fun and frequent. JWU is really good at setting you up post-grad for getting into a career, getting a job, teaching you to apply/ interview. Go to the job fairs! It takes some self motivation because a good chunk of the professors are pretty laid back as long as you do the work required/ show up for class.
Read 2,747 Reviews
B-
Overall Niche Grade
91% Acceptance Rate
$28,089 Net Price
— SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Virtual Tour
New England Institute of Technology
4 Year
East Greenwich, RI
388 reviews
Freshman: My experience so far is very good! I am currently getting used to the building and where to go for what. I am applying into the nursing program because it is my dream to gain a career as a doctor in the future. I love the staff and teachers who have already helped me along the way so far. I am truly blessed and excited to begin the next step in my life here at this very school of my choice. The architecture and the way the building is made is amazing. I was so surprised to see a beautiful water fall in the middle of the entrance walkway inside the school. Everyone was so welcoming and always smiling. I was going in the wrong direction and asked for help and was immediately pointed in the right direction. The students I passed seemed very nice and eager to further their education which is very motivating in my opinion. As I said before I am so excited to start and meet many new people to gain friendships with.
Read 388 Reviews
C+
Overall Niche Grade
100% Acceptance Rate
$30,624 Net Price
— SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Johnson & Wales University - Online
4 Year (Online)
NG
Overall Niche Grade
43% Acceptance Rate
$18,779 Net Price
— SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Sponsored
ECPI University - Virginia Beach, VA
4 Year
Virginia Beach, VA
1,267 reviews
Freshman: So far my experience with ECPI has been great! The instructors are very helpful and my student success coordinator, admissions advisor, financial advisor, and anyone else I need are just a quick call or email away. All of the staff that I have dealt with so far were very encouraging and helpful!
Read 1,267 Reviews
B
Overall Niche Grade
72% Acceptance Rate
$18,664 Net Price
Will You Get In?Compare
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About 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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