Colleges Near Providence, Rhode Island
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Providence? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of Providence, Rhode Island.
There are at least 15 colleges serving the area, including 12 private colleges and universities, 1 public college or university, and 2 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Providence, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Providence, Rhode Island Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Providence, Rhode Island have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 14,846 doctorates at colleges and universities near Providence. That was a decrease of 7% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Providence, Rhode Island
There are at least 12 schools offering degrees near Providence, Rhode Island, and 12 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 34,623 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 13,020 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 3,086 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Providence, Rhode Island area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Roger Williams University School of Law is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Roger Williams University School of Law. In 2024, 171 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 1 master's degree, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
172
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Johnson & Wales University-Online is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Johnson & Wales University-Online. In 2024, 302 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 6 associate degrees, 297 master's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,838
Completions By Degree
613
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Dean College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Dean College. In 2024, 234 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 64 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,180
Completions By Degree
298
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Brown University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Brown University. In 2024, 2,213 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 986 master's degrees, and 381 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
7,222
Completions By Degree
3,580
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Johnson & Wales University-Providence is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. In 2024, 833 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 242 associate degrees, 150 master's degrees, and 30 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,135
Completions By Degree
1,255
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rhode Island School of Design is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Rhode Island School of Design. In 2024, 547 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 274 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,108
Completions By Degree
821
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
College Unbound is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at College Unbound. In 2024, 85 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
247
Completions By Degree
85
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Roger Williams University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Roger Williams University. In 2024, 922 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 55 associate degrees, 143 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,971
Completions By Degree
1,120
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Wheaton College (Massachusetts). In 2024, 421 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,653
Completions By Degree
421
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Providence College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Providence College. In 2024, 1,203 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 6 associate degrees, 254 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,959
Completions By Degree
1,463
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bryant University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Bryant University. In 2024, 802 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 219 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,193
Completions By Degree
1,021
Est. Online Degree Availability
4%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Providence, Rhode Island
There is 1 four-year public college located near Providence, Rhode Island. About 4,596 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 1,458 degrees were completed at public colleges near Providence. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rhode Island College is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Rhode Island College. In 2024, 1,120 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 327 master's degrees, and 11 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,596
Completions By Degree
1,458
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Providence, Rhode Island
There are 2 community colleges near Providence, Rhode Island where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 16,191 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Providence, and about 2,539 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bristol Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,920
Completions By Degree
770
Est. Online Degree Availability
30%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Community College of Rhode Island is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,271
Completions By Degree
1,769
Est. Online Degree Availability
6%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Providence, Rhode Island
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Providence, Rhode Island? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Providence-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $42,103. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Providence is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Providence, Rhode Island
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a 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 Providence, Rhode Island is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Providence, Rhode Island here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Brown University
- Bryant University
- Johnson & Wales University-Providence
- Providence College
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Roger Williams University
- Dean College
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
- College Unbound
- Roger Williams University School of Law
- Johnson & Wales University-Online
- Bristol Community College
- Community College of Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Providence? What's the Providence, Rhode Island job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 1,359,944 jobs in the Providence, Rhode Island area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Providence was below the national average, at 1.1%. There were 164,188 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Providence do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $24.26.