Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Rhode Island by Acceptance Rate 2026
The hardest Rhode Island colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 11
- Cheapest net price
- $9,478
- Top earnings 10y
- $93,487
- Public / Private
- 2 / 9
Brown University
B- Acceptance
- 5.4%
- Net price
- $25,184
- Earnings 10y
- $93,487
- Acceptance
- 5.4%
Rhode Island School of Design
D- Acceptance
- 18.7%
- Net price
- $50,507
- Earnings 10y
- $68,140
- Acceptance
- 18.7%
Providence College
D- Acceptance
- 50.9%
- Net price
- $48,523
- Earnings 10y
- $87,054
- Acceptance
- 50.9%
Bryant University
C- Acceptance
- 65.5%
- Net price
- $41,219
- Earnings 10y
- $90,008
- Acceptance
- 65.5%
New England Institute of Technology
D- Acceptance
- 66.7%
- Net price
- $36,483
- Earnings 10y
- $48,684
- Acceptance
- 66.7%
Salve Regina University
D- Acceptance
- 68.2%
- Net price
- $36,967
- Earnings 10y
- $72,975
- Acceptance
- 68.2%
University of Rhode Island
B- Acceptance
- 72.2%
- Net price
- $21,440
- Earnings 10y
- $69,743
- Acceptance
- 72.2%
Roger Williams University
D- Acceptance
- 87.7%
- Net price
- $37,999
- Earnings 10y
- $70,266
- Acceptance
- 87.7%
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
D- Acceptance
- 88.4%
- Net price
- $31,027
- Earnings 10y
- $43,418
- Acceptance
- 88.4%
Johnson & Wales University-Online
D- Acceptance
- 91%
- Net price
- $20,252
- Earnings 10y
- $43,418
- Acceptance
- 91%
Rhode Island College
A- Acceptance
- 91.8%
- Net price
- $9,478
- Earnings 10y
- $56,318
- Acceptance
- 91.8%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Rhode Island colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.12 (2 public, 9 private).
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Brown University in Providence, RI tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 5.4%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Rhode Island colleges are in this list?
11 Rhode Island colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.