2025 Best Doctoral Degrees in Rhode Island
Are you in Rhode Island looking for a school where you can earn a doctoral degree? Start your search here.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about schools offering doctoral programs in Rhode Island.
Get detailed information about colleges and universities in Rhode Island with graduate programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions and more. In the end,
you'll have an understanding of which school may be right for you. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Rhode Island's Doctoral Schools by the Numbers
Doctoral degree completions at institutions in Rhode Island have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023,
students completed 865 doctorates that were offered by Rhode Island's colleges and universities. That was an increase of 11% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Doctoral Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
19:777
20:763
21:710
22:884
23:865
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top College Offering Doctoral Degrees in Rhode Island
Franklin University's 100% online doctoral programs are a top-choice for ambitious adults driven to do more. The transfer-friendly programs feature a No-Fear Dissertation®,
and can be completed in as few as three years. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin is nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440).
Doctoral Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Doctoral Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Doctorates in Rhode Island
There are at least 6 schools offering doctoral degrees in Rhode Island, and 6
are private colleges or universities where about 20,486 graduate students were enrolled.
In 2023, a total of 636 doctoral degrees were completed at
private colleges and universities serving Rhode Island.
Source Details
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,060
Accredited
Yes
Franklin University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 38 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services17
Health Professions and Related Programs15
Roger Williams University School of Law
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$19,216
Accredited
Yes
Roger Williams University School of Law is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
of traditional age and no programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 171 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Legal Professions and Studies171
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$67,006
Accredited
Yes
Brown University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
of traditional age and no programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 381 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies9
English Language and Literature/Letters3
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services15
Visual and Performing Arts6
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs2
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linquistics5
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies12
Biological and Biomedical Sciences52
Mathematics and Statistics17
Health Professions and Related Programs135
Philosophy and Religious Studies5
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$15,156
Accredited
Yes
Johnson & Wales University-Online is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 8 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services8
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,795
Accredited
Yes
Salve Regina University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
of traditional age and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 8 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Health Professions and Related Programs1
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities3
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$15,156
Accredited
Yes
Johnson & Wales University-Providence is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
of traditional age and no programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 30 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Health Professions and Related Programs14
Public Colleges & Universities Offering Doctoral Degrees in Rhode Island
According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there are 2
public colleges located in Rhode Island offering doctorates. About 18,424 students
were enrolled in graduate programs, and about 267 doctoral degrees were completed at public colleges in Rhode Island.
Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$9,788
Accredited
Yes
Rhode Island College is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
of traditional age and no programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 11 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Health Professions and Related Programs4
University of Rhode Island
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$17,450
Accredited
Yes
University of Rhode Island is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers doctoral degree programs in Rhode Island. Most of the students are
of traditional age and no programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 256 doctoral degrees were completed.
Doctoral Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Doctoral Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Doctoral Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services2
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies10
English Language and Literature/Letters6
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services1
Biological and Biomedical Sciences1
Mathematics and Statistics1
Health Professions and Related Programs169
Affordable Doctoral Degrees in Rhode Island
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a doctoral degree in Rhode Island? According to graduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at Rhode Island
nonprofit schools is $23,565. The average tuition at similar for-profit
schools in Rhode Island is N/A.
Accredited
Colleges Offering Doctorates in Rhode Island
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a doctoral degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your
education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews
to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Rhode Island is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Rhode Island here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Nonprofit Doctoral Schools Serving Rhode Island
- Franklin University
- Roger Williams University School of Law
- Brown University
- Johnson & Wales University-Providence
- Salve Regina University
- Johnson & Wales University-Online
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