Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. However, it's also one of our oldest. It's not only steeped in New England tradition but also full of rich educational opportunities. You can receive an Ivy League education at Brown or earn a fantastic arts degree down the road at the Rhode Island School of Design. There are also large public universities, a top culinary institute, and classic New England liberal arts institutions as well.
Though Rhode Island has a small geographic footprint, the state leaves a huge imprint on the world of post-secondary education. You can grow up in a small Rhode Island town, attend a major university in Providence and then embark on a brilliant career without ever leaving the state. However, if you must stray from home, the rest of New England has much to offer, and your Rhode Island education opens opportunities at every turn.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree in Rhode Island?
Earning a degree in Rhode Island can significantly boost your earning potential. The average hourly pay for someone with a bachelor's degree in the state is $22.86, translating to an annual salary of around $47,500. Bachelor's degree holders in Rhode Island earn a median income of nearly $75,000 per year, surpassing the national average.
Your field of study can greatly impact your earning potential. Engineering graduates in Rhode Island command the highest salaries, with average annual earnings of about $100,505. Other lucrative fields include technology, healthcare, and business.
Location within Rhode Island also plays a role in determining your salary. Newport East offers the highest average annual salary for bachelor's degree holders, exceeding the state average by 1.3%. While job opportunities may be limited in some areas, the potentially lower cost of living could offset this factor.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Best Associate Degree Programs in Rhode Island
New England Institute of Technology
Score: 85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,625
- Out-of-State:$35,625
- Net Price: $33,437
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 1,895
- Undergrad Students: 1,720
- Graduate Students: 175
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Community College of Rhode Island
Score: 56.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,326
- Out-of-State:$14,210
- Net Price: $5,570
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Total Enrollment: 12,263
- Undergrad Students: 12,263
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,400
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Top 5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Rhode Island
Brown University
Score: 92.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,230
- Out-of-State:$68,230
- Net Price: $26,723
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Retention Rate: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 11,189
- Undergrad Students: 7,639
- Graduate Students: 3,550
- Grads Salary: $93,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Providence College
Score: 72.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,848
- Out-of-State:$60,848
- Net Price: $43,970
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 4,473
- Undergrad Students: 3,996
- Graduate Students: 477
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Bryant University
Score: 72.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,169
- Out-of-State:$51,169
- Net Price: $40,361
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,204
- Graduate Students: 332
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Rhode Island
Score: 71.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,408
- Out-of-State:$35,804
- Net Price: $20,695
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 17,473
- Undergrad Students: 14,768
- Graduate Students: 2,705
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Salve Regina University
Score: 68.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,930
- Out-of-State:$47,930
- Net Price: $37,997
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 2,872
- Undergrad Students: 2,190
- Graduate Students: 682
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Top 5 Best Master's Programs in Rhode Island
Brown University
Score: 92.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,230
- Out-of-State:$68,230
- Net Price: $26,723
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Retention Rate: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 11,189
- Undergrad Students: 7,639
- Graduate Students: 3,550
- Grads Salary: $93,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Providence College
Score: 72.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,848
- Out-of-State:$60,848
- Net Price: $43,970
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 4,473
- Undergrad Students: 3,996
- Graduate Students: 477
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Bryant University
Score: 72.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,169
- Out-of-State:$51,169
- Net Price: $40,361
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,204
- Graduate Students: 332
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Rhode Island
Score: 71.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,408
- Out-of-State:$35,804
- Net Price: $20,695
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 17,473
- Undergrad Students: 14,768
- Graduate Students: 2,705
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Salve Regina University
Score: 68.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,930
- Out-of-State:$47,930
- Net Price: $37,997
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 2,872
- Undergrad Students: 2,190
- Graduate Students: 682
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Scholarships & Grants for Rhode Island Students
Scholarships and Grants are a great way to subsidize your college costs. In fact, some may even pay for the entirety of your college costs, though those are rare indeed. In the meantime, it's a great idea to apply to as many scholarships as you can. Even if the awards barely cover a few books for a semester, you can still tout the award on your resume. Regardless, any money you save will be well worth your time. Here are a few scholarships you can apply to:
NFB
National Federation of the Blind – Scholarship Program
https://nfb.org/programs/scholarship-program
Amount: $3,000-$12,000
Deadline: March 31
The National Federation of the Blind invites blind students from all 50 states and Puerto Rico to apply for the NFB scholarship program. You might win one of 30 merit-based scholarships which are sure to carry high prestige. Finalists travel to the NFB's national convention held each July. At that meeting, the winners will be selected. Note that even being a finalist is a great honor and if you don't win you can always try again the following year.
HSF
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
Amount: $500 to $5,000
Deadline: February 15
Hispanic and Latino students at any level are invited to apply to this scholarship fund. Every student from high school seniors who are accepted to a four-year college, an undergraduate student at any phase of that process, community college students who are headed to a four-year college or university, and also graduate students all qualify for awards. If you are a high school student, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Graduate and undergraduate students are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Your major and career aspirations are not any barrier to winning a scholarship, but HSF gives special consideration to STEM students.
JBF
James Beard Foundation
https://www.jamesbeard.org/scholarships
Amount: $20,000 (10 Awards)
Deadline: Not Posted, sign upon website for news and updates
Rhode Island students who intend to attend Johnson and Wales, or any other culinary school, are encouraged to apply for this prestigious award. Note that your education must be licensed or accredited in order to receive an award. You should keep this foundation in mind for your later, post-college life as well. The Foundation provides grants to working chefs who desire additional, informal education.
- Friends of James Beard: helps with tuition and even post-school expenses
- James Beard School Scholarships: Covers tuition costs. Some scholarships are renewable.
- Grants: If you are a working chef but wish to visit farms, fisheries, wineries, or other food producing areas or companies, you can win an award that makes this possible.
You are invited to register on the James Beard website to receive information on upcoming application deadlines and more.
PMAFGS
Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship
https://rifoundation.org/grants-scholarships/browse-scholarships
Amount: $1,000 - renewable
Deadline: Varies
This scholarship is for a Rhode Island student who has the distinctive honor of being the first student from their family to attend college. To qualify, you need to be a high school student who has been accepted to a two- or four-year college or university. Not only must you prove that you are a first-generation college student, but that you have significant financial need. You will need to have proof of RI residence as well as financial need. Often you can submit your FAFSA form for this purpose but refer to the specific guidelines to ensure that you submit the best application.
DELBS
Direct Energy Live Brighter Scholarship
https://www.directenergy.com/scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: December 31
This scholarship is limited to residents of states served by Direct Energy, and that includes Rhode Island. You should be a college student. If you are attending school in a state not served by Direct Energy, make sure you still maintain residence in RI. This is an essay- or video-based scholarship contest and is judged on the basis of four criteria, each weighted equally:
- Outstanding academic performance. To demonstrate your studiousness, you need to include transcripts with your application. You qualify for consideration with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- You should make your video or essay stand out with its creativity and innovation.
- Demonstrate how you make a positive impact on your community.
- Your essay or video should emulate the values of innovation, thoughtfulness, and inspiration. That is, be inspiring, innovative, and thoughtful in your presentation.
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