2023 Guide To Top Online Colleges in Rhode Island
Are you looking for an online college in Rhode Island that best fits your needs? Start your search for Rhode Island's best online colleges and universities here.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about the schools offering online degrees in Rhode Island. Get detailed information about colleges and universities with 100% online degree programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions, student type, programs offered and more. In the end, you'll have an understanding of what each school has to offer and which ones may be right for you.
Rhode Island's Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online degrees in Rhode Island have been growing at institutions over the past 5 years. In 2021, students completed 1,709 degree programs that were offered 100% online by Rhode Island's colleges and universities. That was an increase of 52% from completions reported in 2017.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
7
Est. Total Online Completions in 2021
1,709
Est. OnlineCompletions (Last 5 Years)
17:1127
18:1421
19:1462
20:2003
21:1709
Estimate derived from 2021 completion data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and regionally-accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Online Offerings1,8190
Adult Students
70%
Students 25+ 70
Students Under 25 30
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
$398
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving Rhode Island
There are at least 7 nonprofit 4-year schools serving Rhode Island, where students completed 3,402 distance education degree programs. Of those schools, 6 were private nonprofit institutions and 1 was a public school. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the nonprofit online colleges serving Rhode Island, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Franklin University
Student Age:
Adult
Online:
All
Tuition
$9,577
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in Rhode Island. Franklin University is an 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 2021, 1,056 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 106 associate degrees, 638 master's degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Online Offerings1,8190
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,819
Associate: 106
Bachelor's: 1,056
Master's: 638
Doctoral: 19
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate94Bachelor's681Master's408Doctoral9
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate9Bachelor's78Master's17Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate1Bachelor's22Master's0Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate2Bachelor's54Master's13Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's6Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's20Master's0Doctoral0
Natural Resources and ConservationAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's37Doctoral0
Visual and Performing ArtsAssociate0Bachelor's17Master's0Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's18Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's11Master's10Doctoral1
Mathematics and StatisticsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's39Master's56Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's109Master's91Doctoral9
University of Rhode Island
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
Tuition
$15,004
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
University of Rhode Island is an accredited public 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 University of Rhode Island. In 2021, 349 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 71 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
9%
Online Offerings4204,225
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
420
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 349
Master's: 71
Doctoral: 0
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's18Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's16Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's349Master's37Doctoral0
Roger Williams University
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
Tuition
$38,274
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Roger Williams University is an 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 2021, 123 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 39 associate degrees, 54 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
19%
Online Offerings216944
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
216
Associate: 39
Bachelor's: 123
Master's: 54
Doctoral: 0
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's2Doctoral0
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate35Bachelor's21Master's0Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's2Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate4Bachelor's91Master's28Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's14Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's8Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's0Doctoral0
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Student Age:
Mixed
Online:
All
Tuition
$13,365
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Johnson & Wales University-Online is an 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Johnson & Wales University-Online. In 2021, 303 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 3 associate degrees, 258 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Online Offerings5640
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
564
Associate: 3
Bachelor's: 258
Master's: 303
Doctoral: 0
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate3Bachelor's147Master's265Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's10Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's13Doctoral0
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's79Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's6Master's0Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's11Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's4Doctoral0
New England Institute of Technology
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
Tuition
$31,827
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
New England Institute of Technology is an 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 New England Institute of Technology. In 2021, 52 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 15 master's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
7%
Online Offerings711,018
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
71
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 52
Master's: 15
Doctoral: 4
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's11Doctoral0
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/TechniciansAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's2Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's37Master's2Doctoral4
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's15Master's0Doctoral0
Salve Regina University
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Some
Tuition
$42,920
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Salve Regina University is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Salve Regina University. In 2021, 181 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 79 bachelor's degrees, and 13 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
34%
Online Offerings273525
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
273
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 79
Master's: 181
Doctoral: 13
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's60Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's69Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's9Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's79Master's43Doctoral8
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral5
Bryant University
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
Tuition
$46,863
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Bryant University is an 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Bryant University. In 2021, 39 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
4%
Online Offerings391,071
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
39
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 39
Doctoral: 0
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's36Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's3Doctoral0
Best Online Community Colleges in Rhode Island
Looking for a 2-year school or online community college in Rhode Island? According to 2021 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there was 1 2-year school where students completed 126 distance education degree programs. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the online community colleges in Rhode Island, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Community College of Rhode Island
Student Age:
Mixed
Online:
Minimal
Tuition
$4,806
School Type
2-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Community College of Rhode Island is an accredited for profit 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.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
6%
Online Offerings1261,951
Estimate derived from 2021 completion and distance learning data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
126
Associate: 126
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2021 completion data sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Online Completions by Program
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate126Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral0
Affordable Online Colleges in Rhode Island
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree in Rhode Island, or which online Rhode Island schools have the most affordable options? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Rhode Island's 4-year nonprofit schools is $28,261. The average tuition at 4-year for-profit schools in Rhode Island is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is $4,806.
4-Year Nonprofit
$28,261
/year
4-Year For-Profit
N/A
2-Year
$4,806
/year
Accredited Online Colleges Serving Rhode Island
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college degree from an accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. 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 serving Rhode Island is accredited? View a list of accredited online 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 Online Nonprofit Colleges Serving Rhode Island
- Bryant University
- New England Institute of Technology
- University of Rhode Island
- Roger Williams University
- Salve Regina University
- Johnson & Wales University-Online
- Franklin University
Accredited Online Community Colleges Serving Rhode Island
- Community College of Rhode Island
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