Best Colleges in Rhode Island for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Rhode Island College Guide – What You Need to Know

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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.

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What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island, like most of New England, is a place that places a high value on education. The state is home to some of the very best colleges and universities, provides a wide industrial spectrum, and is in easy reach of some of the nation's busiest economic hubs.

When you embark on a bachelor's degree offered in Rhode Island, you will find that you have your pick of the most popular degrees in the nation.

The most popular degrees in Rhode Island reflect the state's dedication to commerce, science, and the creative spirit and they are:

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124* $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*
*National Average Earnings by Degree Level
arizona-National-Average-earning-by-educational-attainment

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Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Rhode Island

In the years immediately following the end of the recession in 2010, Rhode Island struggled to recover. Its recovery went quite well. In 2017, the state had posted a 93% jobs recovery and the prediction was that, by 2020, the state would have unemployment down to 5%. However, in November 2018, the state beat that number with 3.8% unemployment. Rhode Island is small and nimble, so don't count them out yet.

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Top Business Administration and Management Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Cost Estimators 540 $70,630
Sales Managers 550 $171,240
Industrial and Production Managers 420 $120,840
Logistician 580 $99,200
Construction Managers 310 $132,750
  • Cost Estimators:
    If you have a significant background in accounting and want to work in the construction business, this is the perfect occupation. Cost Estimators assess a project's goals and devise an estimate for its costs, including labor, materials, permits, and any other variable that a budget should cover.
  • Sales Managers:
    Part mentor and part salesman, a Sales Manager works to motivate their team to reach sales goals and the firm's revenue goals. You will work with the marketing team, too, to create new strategies that will attract new consumers. This is a position that will require experience and expertise with sales techniques as well as your firm's product line.
  • Industrial and Production Managers:
    Manufacturing is still strong and needs managers who are able to meet the new challenges brought by technology and improved systems. This is a job that would benefit from an engineering background. After a few years in the field you might seek out an MBA with an engineering focus.
  • Logistician:
    This is another occupation for which an accounting background will come in handy. Logisticians often come from an academic background in Supply Chain Management. They understand how to best manage resources and products as they move throughout the nation and world. In this increasingly global economy, you might consider studying International Supply Chain Management.
  • Construction Management:
    If you love the idea of constructing large buildings or overseeing a massive development, such as a subdivision, this could be the position for you. You'll coordinate your workers, subcontractors, architects, and engineers to create the structures that shape society.
  • Accountants:
    In accounting, also called accountancy, financial and non-financial information about economic entities such as businesses and corporations is measured, processed, and communicated.
  • Business Administrators
  • Business Managers
  • Business Specialists
  • Marketing Managers

Best Rhode Island Schools for Business Administration and Management

  • University of Rhode Island
  • Bryant University
  • Providence College
  • Brown University
  • Roger Williams University

Top Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Food Preparation Supervisors 400 $59,300
Institutional Cooks 1,230 $36,720
Food Service Managers 390 $66,870
Dietitians and Nutritionists 820 $61,870
Restaurant Cooks 5,340 $31,320
  • Food Preparation Supervisors:
    If you are a trained chef, or have loads of experience, you can oversee the preparation of food in most any kitchen.
  • Institutional Cooks:
    Just because you make food in mass quantities for a cafeteria or other large institutional service doesn't mean it can't be nutritious and delicious. With a top culinary degree, you will wow everyone who comes to dine with you.
  • Food Service Managers:
    After a few years of experience in a kitchen, or in the front-of-house, you may wish to move up into management.
  • Dietitians and Nutritionists:
    You might work in a hospital, consult with a medical practice, or even work as an independent consultant, but your clients will all benefit from your knowledge. Food is a vital part of health and wellness, and thus so is this occupation.
  • Restaurant Cooks:
    Your job is hot and sweaty, yet you manage to produce top meals like it was nothing. This honorable profession can be tough, but it can lead to successes beyond your wildest dreams.

Best Rhode Island Schools for Foodservice Systems Administration/Management

  • Johnson and Wales
  • Johnson and Wales Online
  • University of Rhode Island - Kingston

Top General Studies Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Philosophy/Religion Instructor Postsecondary 140 $105,790
Paralegal / Legal Assistants 1,180 $52,440
Marketing 2,060 $72,180
Managers, assorted 5,240 $157,720
Technical/Scientific Sales 880 $78,130
  • Philosophy/Religion Instructor:
    If you love delving deep into questions that probe our existence on this planet, then this is a great field for you. Not only can you continue to work on these issues, but you can help students explore vital issues that they might take for granted until prompted to dig deeper. You will need at least a master's degree in your chosen field, and a doctoral degree will cement your chances for long-term, well-paid employment.
  • Paralegal/Legal Assistants:
    This is a great field for General Studies students. Your essential skills as a reader, writer, and researcher will pay off big-time when you find employment with a top firm in your town. While you won't have quite the pay of an attorney, paralegals perform the same essential tasks. In fact, you might one day choose to return for a law degree.
  • Marketing:
    Your analytical skills coupled with insights into humanity will help you be a fantastic marketing analyst. You might spend days crunching numbers to determine how your firm should proceed towards higher profit, or you could create and conduct surveys, interviews, and focus-group discussions.
  • Managers:
    With your general degree, you can seek out the industries that most appeal to you and join a management training program. You might create a career managing retail operations, manufacturing facilities, or financial institutions, among many possibilities.
  • Technical/Scientific Sales:
    This is a growing field that can be quite lucrative if you are a go-getting salesperson. You might sell laboratory equipment, pharmaceuticals, or medical equipment, among many other possibilities. With the vast growth in healthcare, you might look into the opportunities in that sector.

Best Rhode Island Schools for General Studies

  • University of Rhode Island
  • Providence College
  • Roger Williams University
  • Bryant University
  • Rhode Island College

Top Hospitality Administration/Management Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Food Service Managers 320 $64,900
Lodging Managers 70 $67,600
General Managers 5,240 $157,720
Convention Planner 300 $52,200
Travel Agent 630 $40,680
  • Food Service Managers:
    Restaurants of all sorts need people to manage their operations. You might start as a front-of-house manager who keeps the waitstaff informed on new dishes and special items. Eventually, you can work your way up to becoming a General Manager who oversees all the operations of a restaurant. It all starts with a degree in hospitality or culinary arts.
  • Lodging Managers:
    Managing a hotel involves delegating a rather large staff of front-desk clerks, cleaning staff, maintenance crew, and even a marketing team. However, it is richly rewarding to provide excellent lodging and other services to weary travelers seeking a clean, warm bed.
  • General Managers:
    This is often a position that you need to work up to. In a restaurant, you might start as a server or cook and then work up to manage your team. From there, you will be trained to oversee the operations of the entire business.
  • Convention Planner:
    Though a convention only lasts a few days, planning for one can be a year-around job. That is, you'll have to make sure that the entire duration is packed with events. You may need to coordinate booking a large hall full of vendor booths, and you'll likely need to coordinate with area hotels to ensure that conventioneers receive some discount on lodging as an extra incentive for attending.
  • Travel Agent:
    We tend to think of travel agents as being an antiquated occupation. However, corporations and other large groups rely on travel professionals to manage their business trips, and to facilitate expense reporting. You might also still help individual travelers find tour packages that best suit their needs. Since travel service providers still offer discounts through agents, your business will thrive.

Best Rhode Island Schools for Hospitality Administration/Management

  • Johnson and Wales
  • Brown University
  • Bryant University
  • Roger Williams University

Top Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Industrial Engineering Technician 120 $59,420
CAD Technician 200 $74,200
Industrial Engineer 910 $101,840
Mechanical Engineer 1,260 $98,130
Civil Engineer 960 $86,650
  • Industrial Engineering Technician:
    This is an exciting opportunity to be on an Industrial Engineering team with only an Associate's Degree. Industrial Engineering Technicians assist Engineers by analyzing production costs and preparing designs and layouts, among other tasks. Make sure you complete your degree in an ABET-accredited program to ensure the most opportunities.
  • CAD Technician:
    As a CAD Technician, you will specialize in Computer Assisted Design, a software package that is the backbone of Architecture and Engineering. You will help bring ideas to life in the form of detailed blueprints that will go onto construction sites ranging from kitchen rehabs to new skyscrapers.
  • Industrial Engineer:
    Efficiency is the name of the game in this occupation. Prepare yourself for a career working in factories, assessing the systems, and seeking ways to make improvements. You'll take your on-site evaluations back to the office where you and your technicians will sort out the very best solutions.
  • Mechanical Engineer:
    Wherever someone needs a mechanical solution to their problem, you will be there to design the appropriate device or sensor. Your working environment will likely be an office setting, but you might also visit client sites to evaluate how your devices are helping their business.
  • Civil Engineer:
    Do you want to build bridges, roads, and even stadiums? Civil Engineers work on all of these vital infrastructure projects. You might spend years creating a tunnel to route wastewater from a city or solving problems related to climate change. Civil Engineers are the hidden heroes of our society.

Best Rhode Island Schools for Manufacturing, Engineering, & Technology/Technicians

  • Brown University
  • Providence College
  • University of Rhode Island
  • New England Institute of Technology

Additional Careers in Rhode Island

Want to See All the Rhode Island Occupational Wage Averages

The top occupations with the highest forecasted growth rate in Rhode Island

Occupation Projected Growth
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 51.5%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 18%
Accommodation, including Hotels and Motels 14.2%
Building Construction Workers 13.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 12.4%

Best Associate Degrees in Rhode Island

Best Associate Degrees in Rhode Island
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There are numerous associate degree programs available in Rhode Island to help you acquire an entry-level position right away or move you forward in your journey toward a bachelor's degree. Degree options available include but are not limited to industrial design, paralegal, administration, and graphic design. Here you’ll find a list of excellent Rhode Island schools with associate degree programs available. Take a look to find your perfect match.

New England Institute of Technology
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,516		 Graduation Rate
48%		 Net Price
$33,681		 Grads Salary
$45,100
Community College of Rhode Island
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
13,684		 Graduation Rate
30%		 Net Price
$5,702 		Grads Salary
$30,500

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Best Bachelor's Degrees in Rhode Island

Best Bachelor's Degrees in Rhode Island
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You can design your own career future by completing a bachelor's degree program in a field like Africana studies, anthropology, business and marketing, public and professional communication, biological sciences, psychology, or philosophy. These schools in your state are waiting for your application and offering a huge variety of options, even if you still aren’t sure what your passion is. Choose a quality college to attend, and whatever you decide to do with your life, you’ll be well on your way when you graduate with a well-respected degree.

Brown University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
9,948		 Graduation Rate
95%		 Net Price
$27,659 		Grads Salary
$86,500
University of Rhode Island
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
17,465		 Graduation Rate
71%		 Net Price
$15,386 		Grads Salary
$71,000
Providence College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,821		 Graduation Rate
85%		 Net Price
$37,284 		Grads Salary
$74,000
Rhode Island College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
7,072		 Graduation Rate
46%		 Net Price
$10,557 		Grads Salary
$63,000
Bryant University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,640		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$39,919 		Grads Salary
$75,500
Salve Regina University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,771		 Graduation Rate
76%		 Net Price
$35,620 		Grads Salary
$68,300
Roger Williams University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,702		 Graduation Rate
69%		 Net Price
$34,890 		Grads Salary
$66,800
Johnson & Wales University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
5,676		 Graduation Rate
64%		 Net Price
$29,560 		Grads Salary
$63,000
New England Institute of Technology
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,516		 Graduation Rate
48%		 Net Price
$33,681 		Grads Salary
$42,800

Best Master's Degrees in Rhode Island

Best Master's Degrees in Rhode Island
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Top-level career positions can be difficult to attain without an advanced degree. At a top-quality university, you can earn your master's or doctorate in a field like forensic and legal psychology, information technology, or homeland security-leadership and policy. Rhode Island colleges providing programs like these may be difficult to sort through in order to make a decision. Here we’ve collected some of the best schools in the state offering master’s and doctorate degrees. Take a look and find a school that fits your needs.

Brown University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
9,948		 Graduation Rate
95%		 Net Price
$27,659 		Grads Salary
$86,500
University of Rhode Island
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
17,465		 Graduation Rate
71%		 Net Price
$15,386 		Grads Salary
$71,000
Providence College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,821		 Graduation Rate
85%		 Net Price
$37,284 		Grads Salary
$74,000
Rhode Island College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
7,072		 Graduation Rate
46%		 Net Price
$10,557 		Grads Salary
$63,000
Bryant University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,640		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$39,919 		Grads Salary
$75,500
Salve Regina University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,771		 Graduation Rate
76%		 Net Price
$35,620 		Grads Salary
$68,300
Roger Williams University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,702		 Graduation Rate
69%		 Net Price
$34,890 		Grads Salary
$66,800
Johnson & Wales University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
5,676		 Graduation Rate
64%		 Net Price
$29,560 		Grads Salary
$63,000
New England Institute of Technology
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,516		 Graduation Rate
48%		 Net Price
$33,681 		Grads Salary
$42,800
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Rhode Island College Tuition Costs Vs Salary Potential

Education is a costly proposition these days. However, it is a necessary expense if you wish to get ahead in most occupations. Where workers used to rely on experience to advance, now they face a glass ceiling. Thus, it's vital to find a way to contain your educational costs while attaining the very best education possible.

One way to reduce your costs is to attend in-state, public colleges and universities. Rhode Island may be small, but there are plenty of great opportunities so that you can remain in-state for college. When you consider that even venturing to Massachusetts will result in a potential 300% tuition increase, the decision to remain in-state is rather easy.

You can also reduce your overall costs by attending community colleges for your core classes. All the required composition, math, and other elective courses that usually consume the first two years of college can be handled in a community college. If you choose this route, which will be cheaper, contact the college where you intend to finish your bachelor's degree and make sure that your credits will transfer. Your community college may also have information on this.

Tuition and other expenses can also be handled with scholarships, grants, and federal loan assistance programs. There are so many scholarships available for all sorts of students that it would be a shame to not apply for a few. You might even conduct a yearly, or quarterly, scholarship-application campaign that is sure to yield a few awards. Even if you only win $500, you can put the award on your resume.

Upon graduation, if you're like most students, you will likely have outstanding student loan debt. This can be offset by federal loan programs that will allow you to defer loan payments while you work them off in a non-profit or government agency. You will likely need to work off your debt over the course of ten years, but your experience will be just as valuable as time with a private firm.

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College Cost Analysis vs Salary Potential

Average Rhode Island Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $12,576

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State – $29,998

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

Rhode Island students are a bit above average for receiving federal grants, which should be encouraging to all who are filling out their FAFSA forms. The state also comes in slightly below average for the average monetary dispensation per student. You can always supplement your education with funds from a scholarship or private grant.

Financial Aid Rhode Island Nationally
Received Federal Grants 38% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $10,666 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a post-secondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

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_logo

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_logo

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_logo

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.

ASEC

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

https://www.aynrand.org/students/essay-contests#atlasshrugged-1
Amount: $100-$25,000
Deadline: Varies (check website for updated deadline)
If you have read Atlas Shrugged and are a whiz with literary analysis, this might be your chance to win a lot of money for college. The Ayn Rand Institute provides three topics. You can pick one and get to work writing and thinking. The topics require a deep engagement with the text and include other Rand works, such as her essays, "Faith and Force" and "Of Living Death."

PMAFGS_logo

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_logo

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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