Rhode Island Top Universities

Best Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The state capital and most populous city is Providence. The state has a total area of 1,212 square miles, making it the 43rd largest by area in the country. As of 2019, Rhode Island had an estimated population of 1,057,315 people.

List of Top Colleges in the State of Rhode Island

Are you planning to attend a Rhode Island college? Then, you have come to the right place! We have carefully reviewed each of 4-year colleges and universities in the state of Rhode Island and the following are the top-ranked public and private programs listed in alphabetical order. You can keep reading to see best RI colleges. Please note that you will be directed to a different website.

Community College of Rhode Island

Knight Campus

400 East Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886-1807
Telephone: (401)825-1000

The Knight Campus is located on 205 acres adjacent to Routes 95 and 295 in Warwick. All academic facilities at this campus are housed under one roof, a futuristic megastructure which encourages social, educational and cultural exchanges among the entire student body. The design of the megastructure reflects the philosophy of the Community College of Rhode Island, which stresses interaction among students from all fields of study. Athletic facilities are located in a separate field house.

Directions

If traveling North on Route 95: Take Exit 11 (295). Then take Exit 1 onto Route 113 west; continue straight to campus entrance

If traveling South on Route 95: Take Exit 12B. Bear left at fork to Route 113 west; continue straight to Campus entrance.

Flanagan Campus

1762 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865-4585
Telephone: (401) 333-7000

The Flanagan Campus occupies a 300 acre site off Louisquisset Pike in Lincoln. It features one building composed of three connected modules, totaling nearly 7 1/2 acres of floor space. The building includes such innovative features as solar panels and computerized temperature control. The field house on this campus contains a swimming pool. At Flanagan Campus, students study, learn and relax in modern, comfortable surroundings.

Directions

If traveling North or South on Route 146: Take the Exit to Route 123.
Turn left at junction of Routes 123 and 246; continue to Campus entrance.

Liston Campus

One Hilton Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02905-2304
Telephone: (401) 455-6000

The main Providence Campus is located on almost seven acres of land on the capital city’s south side. The contemporary brick structure contains over 20 classrooms, large workshop areas, a central atrium, and a 250 seat auditorium. The urban campus makes higher education more accessible to inner city residents, a fundamental mission of community colleges nationwide.

Directions

If traveling North on Route 95: Take the Thurbers Avenue Exit (#18), bearing left at the second light take a right onto Eddy Street. Travel Eddy Street to Willard Avenue. Turn left onto Willard Avenue. Take left onto Staniford Street; Campus entrance is on the right.

If traveling South on Route 95: Take the Rhode Island Hospital Exit (#19). Take a left at exit light which puts you on Eddy Street. Travel Eddy Street to Willard Avenue. Make right turn onto Willard Avenue. Take left onto Staniford Street; Campus entrance is on the right.

One John H. Chafee Blvd.
Newport, RI, 02840
Telephone: (401) 851-1600

The focal point of Newport’s North End revitalization is CCRI’s new Newport County campus.

The new campus appears as a single, three-story building; however, it is actually three separate but connected structures that include a student services complex, a classroom/laboratory wing, and an auditorium.

Although the exterior of the building pays homage to Newport’s rich architectural heritage, the interior is pointed toward the future according to CCRI Dean of Administration Stephen Marginson.

“The Newport County campus is by far the most high tech of the campuses to date,” he says, adding that the campus includes 16 “smart” classrooms wired for both data and video reception, as well as academic computer labs, distance learning laboratories and a multi-media seminar room.

Directions

FROM NEWPORT BRIDGE: Remain on the access road headed toward Fall River/Cape Cod (Do not take Scenic Downtown Newport exit). Newport Grand will be directly across from the light at the bottom of the exit ramp. At the light, turn right onto Admiral Kalbfus Road. Upon entering the rotary, take your first right onto Connell Highway, and continue for approximately one mile. CCRI is immediately past the Little League field on your right.

FROM SOUTH: 114 South (West Main Road): Turn right onto Coddington Highway. CCRI is next to the Little League fields on your left.

CCRI Downcity

80 Washington Street
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903-1803
Telephone: (401) 277-5197

CCRI’s secondary Providence Campus is located in the historic Shepard Building in the heart of downtown Providence, between Washington and Westminster Streets.

Directions

By Bus: The campus is a short walk from Kennedy Plaza, the hub for all Rhode Island Public Transit Authority buses to and from downtown Providence. Just walk two blocks up Washington Street behind from City Hall. For fare and route information, call RIPTA at 401-781-9400 or visit their website at: www.ripta.com

Driving From I-95 North: Take the Atwells Avenue exit, turn left and proceed toward to downtown Providence. Take the second left (Fountain Street) and stay in the right lane. Take the right (Eddy Street) at the light (this takes you in front of the Biltmore) and take a right on Washington Street which is on the right side of City Hall. The Shepard Building is located on the corner of Union and Washington Street.

Driving From I-95 South: Take the Broadway exit, turn right and proceed toward to downtown Providence. Take the second left (Fountain Street) and stay in the right lane. Take the right (Eddy Street) at the light (this takes you in front of the Biltmore) and take a right on Washington Street which is on the right side of City Hall. The Shepard Building is located on the corner of Union and Washington Street.

Satellite Campus

Westerly Middle School

10 Sandy Hill Road
Westerly RI 02891
Telephone: (401) 348-2750

Directions

From Providence & points north:

  • Take RT. 95 south to Exit 1
  • Bear right at end of exit ramp onto Rt. 3 South
  • Proceed approximately 2.5 miles to Rte 78
  • Immediately after overpass and at flashing traffic light, turn left onto Rt. 78
    Proceed on Rt. 78 to traffic light at intersection of Rt. 78 & Rt.1
  • Take left onto Rt. 1 North
  • Proceed approximately 1 mile to 2nd light (1st light is at Stop and Shop)
    Take right at second light onto Sandy Hill Rd. continue to parking in front of school
  • Office is on right at main entrance

From New London & points south:

  • Take RT. 95 North to Exit 92
  • Turn right at traffic light at end of exit onto Rt. 2
  • Proceed approximately 1 mile,( pass through two traffic lights)
  • Turn right onto Rt. 78 to Beaches
  • Proceed on Rt. 78 to traffic light at intersection of Rt. 78 & Rt.1
  • Take left onto Rt. 1 North
  • Proceed approximately 1 mile to 2nd light (1st light is at Stop and Shop)
  • Take right at second light onto Sandy Hill Rd. continue to parking in front of school
  • Office is on right at main entrance

Rhode Island College

University of Rhode Island

Kingston Campus
Located in the historic village of Kingston, the University of Rhode Island is close to the ocean and major beaches. Our 1,200-acre campus is a handsome mix of ivy-covered buildings and contemporary architecture. Just 30 miles south of Providence, URI is within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

Feinstein Providence Campus
The University’s Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing Education and several other departments are housed at the newly renovated, historic Shepard Building in the heart of downtown Providence. CCE has been serving older students (average age of 40) for more than 50 years and offers a wide variety of degree and certificate programs.

Narragansett Bay Campus
Overlooking the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, this 153-acre campus is home to URI’s highly acclaimed Graduate School of Oceanography, one of the top five oceanographic institutions in the country. The campus also houses the University’s Coastal Institute on Narragansett Bay, which features an interactive coastal environment exhibit and conference center.

W. Alton Jones Campus
Located in the western section of Rhode Island just 30 minutes from Providence, the Alton Jones Campus features 2,300 acres of pristine forests, streams, ponds, and a 75-acre lake, and is the site of a year-round National Center for Environmental Education. Alton Jones offers an ideal setting for conferences and retreats; school field trips; team-building for executives and support staff; and summer day, overnight, and teen camps.

Below we list all universities in the state of Rhode Island.

Founded: September 15, 1764
Slogan: “In God We Hope”
Location: One Prospect Street, Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: 1-401-863-1000
Tuition: $51,367 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 9% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 10,257

Founded: 1863
Slogan: “The Character of Success”
Location: 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917
Tuition: $40,962 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 72% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 3,751

Founded: 1914
Slogan: “The Wildcat Way; Pride, Courage, Character and Community”
Total Enrollment: 12,930

Founded: 1940
Location: One New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, RI 02818
Tuition: $24,651 (2016)
Total Enrollment: 2,919

Founded: 1917
Slogan: “Truth”
Location: 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918
Telephone: 1-401-865-1000
Tuition: $46,970 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 57% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 4,735

Founded: 1854
Slogan: “Reach. Inspire. Connect.”
Location: 600 Mount Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908
Tuition: $8,206 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 72% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 9,000

Founded: 1877
Location: 2 College St, Providence, RI 02903
Tuition: $44,594 (2014)
Acceptance Rate: 32.59% (2014)
Total Enrollment: 2,501

Founded: 1956
Slogan: “Magna Est Veritas”
Location: One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809
Tuition: $32,100 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 78% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 4,416

Founded: 1934
Slogan: “Mary, Our Hope”
Location: 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
Telephone: 1-401-847-6650
Tuition: $37,820 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 73% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 2,600

More on the Internet

  • COUNTRYAAH: How many counties are there in Rhode Island? This website provides a full list of all counties, cities, towns and detailed information of each county in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Top Universities