2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Rhode Island
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Rhode Island? This list ranks 21 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree analyzed 20 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 21 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Rhode Island
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Brown University this year in Rhode Island. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Brown University
Bryant University came in at #2 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in Rhode Island. Located in Smithfield, RI, Bryant University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,677. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,233. Read the full report on Bryant University
A rank of #3 makes Salve Regina University one of the top choices in Rhode Island. Located in Newport, RI, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,100. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,000. Get the full Salve Regina University report
Roger Williams University came in at #4 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in Rhode Island. Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, RI. Roger Williams University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,197. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,676. More on Roger Williams University
You'll be in good company at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. University Of Rhode Island posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. University Of Rhode Island Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,432 in debt. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile
Johnson And Wales University Providence did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,350. More on Johnson And Wales University Providence
Rhode Island College placed #7 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Based in Providence, RI, Rhode Island College is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Read the full report on Rhode Island College
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln placed #8 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln report
New England Institute Of Technology placed #9 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Read the full report on New England Institute Of Technology
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Read more about Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston
College Unbound
College Unbound placed #11 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Read more about College Unbound
Rhode Island School Of Design did well this year, earning the #12 position. More on Rhode Island School Of Design
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island
International Yacht Restoration School placed #14 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Read more about International Yacht Restoration School
Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence placed #15 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. See the full Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence profile
Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #16 spot in Rhode Island this year. See the full Johnson And Wales University Online profile
Community College Of Rhode Island placed #17 among Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. See the full Community College Of Rhode Island profile
Providence College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Providence College
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island landed the #19 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read more about New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island
Empire Beauty School Warwick landed the #20 spot in Rhode Island this year. See the full Empire Beauty School Warwick profile
Roger Williams University School Of Law ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Roger Williams University School Of Law report
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).