Rhode Island Private Colleges & Universities

Independent Colleges, Schools, and Universities

For such a small state, Rhode Island packs a pretty powerful punch when it comes to education. Colleges in the "Ocean State" have some of the best academic programs in the country. So it is not at all surprising that students and professors from all over the world flock in order to learn and teach at the relatively abundant number of schools and universities throughout the state. In fact, Rhode Island colleges are quite famous for their diversity and multiculturalism.

Rhode Island private colleges and universities offer a wide range of education programs with degrees and certificates up to the doctoral level, as well as professional degrees such as law and medicine. These Rhode Island private schools are diverse in character, academic emphasis, and origins. Some private colleges or schools have a religious affiliation; others are secular. Private colleges and universities  may be profit or non-profit institutions. Typically, Rhode Island independent colleges or private schools give weight to personal characteristics and activities in addition to considering GPA and test scores. While many Rhode Island private schools are considerably more expensive than comparable state institutions, they also tend to offer more generous financial aid packages. Many students have found the actual out-of-pocket cost to earn a degree from a private college in Rhode Island to be less than the cost of the state schools to which they were accepted. On the one hand, public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Check out your state's Guide to Residency. Rhode Island private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources of funding. On the other hand, Rhode Island private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention (and some believe, more prestige).

Rhode Island  Private Colleges and Universities

Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association

The Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association is composed of the presidents of the independent institutions of higher education in Rhode Island. By statute, the chairperson of the group (or designee) serves on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority.

Association of Independent Schools in New England

Believing that schools have the potential to make our world better through their work with children, AISNE provides educational leadership and relevant, responsive services to its diverse membership; promotes equity, excellence and collaboration within the New England independent school community; supports schools in their service to a broader public purpose; and advocates for the independence of member schools and the value of independent education.

• Arthur Angelo The Professional School - Providence
• Arthur Angelo The Professional School - Warwick
• Johnson & Wales University - Providence
• Lincoln Tech® - Lincoln
• New England Institute of Technology

• Brown University
  • Providence
• Bryant College
  • Smithfield
• Providence College
• Rhode Island School of Design
  • Providence
• Roger Williams University
  • Bristol
• Salve Regina University
  • Newport
• Zion Bible Institute
  • Barrington