The Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island That Actually Graduate Their Students
Rhode Island College offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Rhode Island, graduating 46% of students within six years at $9,788 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Rhode Island’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island College | Providence | 46% | $9,788 | $18,230 | N/A |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island | Kingston | 70% | $16,858 | $30,652 | 27 |
1. Rhode Island College
Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island College graduates 46% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,788 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,230.
2. University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island graduates 70% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $16,858 per year. Out-of-state students pay $30,652. Median ACT: 27.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Rhode Island by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 2 qualifying public institutions in Rhode Island.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
