Colleges in Providence, Rhode Island
8 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 8 colleges and universities in Providence, Rhode Island (6 Private nonprofit, 1 Public, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 8 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $23,989 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 86.8%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 70% of applicants.
The median net price in Providence runs about $1,436 lower than the Rhode Island statewide median of $25,425.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Providence, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$23,989
After aid
Median grad rate
86.8%
6-year
Median admission rate
70%
Median enrollment
3,035
Undergrad
All colleges in Providence
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University Providence, RI | RI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $25,184 | 95.7% | 5% | 7,226 | Complete | |
| Rhode Island College Providence, RI | RI | Public, 4-year | $9,478 | 48.1% | 92% | 5,049 | Complete | |
| Providence College Providence, RI | RI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $48,523 | 85.8% | 51% | 4,229 | Complete | |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI | RI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $31,027 | 55.4% | 88% | 3,868 | Complete | |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence, RI | RI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $20,252 | Not available | 91% | 2,202 | Complete | |
| Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI | RI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $50,507 | 88.8% | 19% | 2,084 | Complete | |
| College Unbound Providence, RI | RI | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $21,108 | Not available | Not available | 491 | Partial | |
| Empire Beauty School-Warwick Providence, RI | RI | Private for-profit, <2-year | $22,794 | 87.8% | Not available | 107 | Partial |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (6)
Private nonprofit colleges in Providence are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Brown UniversityNet price: $25,184Grad: 95.7%
- Providence CollegeNet price: $48,523Grad: 85.8%
- Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceNet price: $31,027Grad: 55.4%
- Johnson & Wales University-OnlineNet price: $20,252Grad: Not available
- Rhode Island School of DesignNet price: $50,507Grad: 88.8%
- College UnboundNet price: $21,108Grad: Not available
Public (1)
Public colleges in Providence are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Rhode Island CollegeNet price: $9,478Grad: 48.1%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Providence operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Empire Beauty School-WarwickNet price: $22,794Grad: 87.8%
Top programs in Providence
Most-completed programs across Providence colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business19.8% of degrees
- Social sciences9.6% of degrees
- Computer science7.0% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts6.7% of degrees
- Health professions6.4% of degrees
- Personal services6.4% of degrees
- Biological sciences5.7% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary5.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Providence
Q.How many colleges are in Providence, Rhode Island?
There are 8 colleges and universities in Providence, Rhode Island that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 6 Private nonprofit, 1 Public, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Providence?
By undergraduate enrollment, Brown University is the largest institution in Providence with roughly 7,226 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Providence?
Based on average net price after aid, Rhode Island College is the most affordable institution in Providence at $9,478 per year.
Q.Which Providence college has the highest graduation rate?
Brown University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Providence institutions at 95.7%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Providence?
The median net price across all 8 colleges in Providence is $23,989 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Providence?
Across Providence colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Social sciences, Computer science.
Q.Are there community colleges in Providence?
Yes — Providence includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Rhode Island
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Providence that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.