Rhode Island claims its unique place as the country's smallest state in terms of land mass. Nevertheless, the state boasts 13 degree-granting postsecondary institutions. Only one of these colleges designates itself as a two-year institution. Three schools are state-supported public entities, while 10 institutions exist as private nonprofit colleges or universities.
The following guide provides prospective students who may pursue Rhode Island colleges' online degrees with information on the state's student population, average tuition at public universities, how out-of-state students can pay in-state tuition, and a list of the best online colleges in Rhode Island. The guide also lists the state's top-growing job fields to help individuals choose the right major. The final portion of the guide includes a list of 10 scholarships and other financial aid opportunities for students attending online schools in Rhode Island.
But before we dive into our list of best online colleges in Rhode Island for 2019, let's start with the state of higher education and online education in Rhode Island today.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Rhode Island
An Overview of Higher Education in Rhode Island
Although a small state in both square miles and population, Rhode Island claimed more than 83,000 students enrolled at postsecondary institutions in 2016. That's just shy of 10% of the state's total population. Rhode Island is home to a variety of higher education institutions, including an Ivy League school, numerous public universities, and several private colleges.Costs vary widely among these schools. One year's tuition at a public university in Rhode Island, for instance, stands at about $12,530. At public two-year schools, tuition runs about $4,560. Students learning at the best online colleges in Rhode Island may expect to pay even more in tuition and fees. For example, at the University of Rhode Island, which stands out as the state's flagship university, out-of-state students should budget about $30,862 for one year of school. In-state learners, though, typically pay about $14,138. Students attending a pricey private school may well exceed those costs.[dataviz-stats public="3" non-profit="10" for-profit="0"]Fortunately, students at online schools in Rhode Island can take advantage of financial aid packages. Need-based grants, merit scholarships, work-study, student loans, and other forms of financial assistance can bridge the gap between a student's tuition bill and a family's budget. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Rhode Island donors released more than $7.7 million in the form of need- and non-need-based grants to 7,149 recipients. Rhode Island's Council on Postsecondary Education continues to make the state a friendlier place for private online colleges to provide programs to the state's residents.
Higher Education in Rhode Island
Featured Online Programs
State of Online Higher Education in Rhode Island
Rhode Island boasts a tiny population of a little more than one million people, about 0.3% of the nation's population. However, the state's tiny size doesn't inhibit its students from aggressively enrolling in Rhode Island's college online classes. About 10,539 students, or roughly 12.8% of the state's student population, take at least one online course, and most supplement their education with on-campus courses. Just more than 1,700 students take all their courses by distance education, a number split roughly in half between graduate and undergraduate students. About 51% of online students hail from outside the state and 47% come from Rhode Island.[dataviz-nces online="12" undergrad="75.5" in-state="51"]
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
At some accredited online colleges in Rhode Island, qualifying out-of-state students can enjoy tuition breaks that allow them to pay the same cost per credit hour as Rhode Island residents. The New England Board of Higher Education serves as a resource organization that promotes higher education opportunities across all six of the New England states. One of its oldest programs, the Regional Student Program (RSP) "Tuition Break," helps colleges share resources and student families save money. This program saves participating students an average of $7,900 per year.The RSP Tuition Break applies to students who enroll in an approved major not offered at a college in their state. For example, a student from New Hampshire could take Rhode Island college online courses not offered in their home state. Students benefiting from this program typically pay in-state tuition costs though they reside in another state. This program applies to more than 800 graduate and undergraduate degrees at 82 public universities and colleges scattered across New England. Private higher education institutions do not participate in the RSP Tuition Break. To qualify, students must legally claim residence in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut.
Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Rhode Island. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list their services for distance students along with their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Rhode Island, explore our state resources, including a database of every college and university in Rhode Island or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Rhode Island
See below for another list of the top online colleges in Rhode Island, sorted by tuition rate.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges in Rhode Island is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in RI with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in the state.
College Graduate Outlook in Rhode Island
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is home to fewer adults with college degrees than any other New England state. Consequently, graduates from online colleges in Rhode Island possess a distinct opportunity to snag leadership roles, specialized technology jobs, and healthcare positions in the state. Rhode Island's overall unemployment rate stands at 3.9%, a slight edge up against the national average. The rate has fallen steadily throughout 2018, though, meaning more and more job hunters in Rhode Island find employment.The annual mean wage in Rhode Island comes in at $53,110, a bit higher than the national average. Students earning degrees from online schools in Rhode Island can expect to earn salaries that exceed their counterparts in many other parts of the country. Rhode Island's natural beauty, coastline, and proximity to major cities such as Boston coupled with its above-average salaries make it a prime location for many college graduates, young professionals, and new families.