2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Rhode Island
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Rhode Island? This list ranks 21 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree analyzed 7 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 21 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Rhode Island
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Salve Regina University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Graduate Degrees degree schools in Rhode Island. Located in Newport, RI, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,100. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,975. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%. Get the full Salve Regina University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place in Rhode Island. Based in Providence, RI, Rhode Island College is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $56,318 ten years out. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Rhode Island College
Johnson And Wales University Providence came in at #3 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Rhode Island. Located in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,350. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on Johnson And Wales University Providence
You'll get strong value at Roger Williams University, which ranked #4 this year. Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, RI. In-state tuition and fees average $45,197. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,676. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,266 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roger Williams University has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on Roger Williams University
You'll get strong value at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $69,743 ten years out. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile
Brown University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $93,487 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Brown University
Bryant University placed #7 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Located in Smithfield, RI, Bryant University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,677. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,233. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $90,008. Set against $26,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bryant University admits about 66% of applicants. Read the full report on Bryant University
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island landed the #8 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island
Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #9 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. See the full Community College Of Rhode Island profile
Roger Williams University School Of Law landed the #10 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. Get the full Roger Williams University School Of Law report
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln landed the #11 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln report
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Read more about Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Read more about New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island
International Yacht Restoration School placed #14 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Read more about International Yacht Restoration School
Empire Beauty School Warwick ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Empire Beauty School Warwick profile
Providence College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. More on Providence College
Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence profile
New England Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Rhode Island. Read the full report on New England Institute Of Technology
Rhode Island School Of Design offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. More on Rhode Island School Of Design
College Unbound
College Unbound ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about College Unbound
Johnson And Wales University Online offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. See the full Johnson And Wales University Online profile
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 7 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).
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