Best colleges in Rhode Island, ranked by ROI
We rank all 14 Rhode Island institutions we profile by payback years — total net cost divided by earnings above the $48,360 high-school baseline. The state's median net price is $29,303/yr (above the $16,902 national median), and its graduates earn a median $62,229 ten years out (above the $43,549 national median). Brown University leads, clearing its cost in 2.2 years. (Scorecard, 2026.)
$29,303
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$62,229
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
14
Colleges ranked
degreedividend.com
| # | College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown University | $25,184 | $93,487 | 2.2 yrs |
| 2 | Bryant University | $41,219 | $90,008 | 4 yrs |
| 3 | University of Rhode Island | $21,440 | $69,743 | 4 yrs |
| 4 | Rhode Island College | $9,478 | $56,318 | 4.8 yrs |
| 5 | Providence College | $48,523 | $87,054 | 5 yrs |
| 6 | Salve Regina University | $36,967 | $72,975 | 6 yrs |
| 7 | Roger Williams University | $37,999 | $70,266 | 6.9 yrs |
| 8 | Rhode Island School of Design | $50,507 | $68,140 | 10.2 yrs |
| 9 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island | $15,866 | $53,085 | 13.4 yrs |
| 10 | New England Institute of Technology | $36,483 | $48,684 | 225.2 yrs |
| 11 | Community College of Rhode Island | $6,513 | $42,659 | no payback |
| 12 | Johnson & Wales University-Online | $20,252 | $43,418 | no payback |
| 13 | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | $31,027 | $43,418 | no payback |
| 14 | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | $27,578 | $31,914 | no payback |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · ranking and payback are our math. Payback uses institution-wide earnings; a specific major can rank very differently.
Colleges in Rhode Island: frequently asked questions
Which college has the best ROI in Rhode Island?
Brown University. It charges $25,184/yr after aid and its graduates earn a median $93,487 ten years out, clearing the cost in about 2.2 years — the fastest payback of the 14 Rhode Island colleges we track.
How much does college cost in Rhode Island?
The median net price across Rhode Island colleges is $29,303/yr after grants and scholarships — above the $16,902 national median. That is the actual price the typical aided student pays, not the published sticker.
What do Rhode Island college graduates earn?
A median $62,229 ten years after entry (Scorecard), above the $43,549 national median. Earnings vary widely by school and major — see each college's profile for its own figure.
How many Rhode Island colleges pay for themselves?
10 of the 14 Rhode Island colleges we track clear their cost on institution-wide earnings above the high-school baseline. The rest need a high-ROI major to pay off — the school average alone does not.