The Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island
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As a partner state in the New England Board of Higher Education, Rhode Island offers diverse educational opportunities for students.
Colleges in Rhode Island offer online degree options at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A bachelor’s degree meets the educational requirement for many growing careers. For example, financial managers, public relations managers, software developers, and operations research analysts in Rhode Island all earn annual mean wages of over $100,000.
Many of Rhode Island’s growing industries prefer to hire candidates with college degrees. Careers in biomedical sciences, business services, and tech often require a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Ocean State also offers opportunities in marine ecology, maritime construction, and environmental preservation.
Rhode Island’s online colleges offer many enrollment options, including synchronous and asynchronous courses, self-paced classes, and accelerated programs. Demand for online programs has increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and many students prefer the flexibility of online learning schedules. Rhode Islanders also benefit from in-state tuition discounts when enrolling at public colleges and universities in the state.
Our list ranks the best online colleges in Rhode Island. We only include regionally accredited schools in our ranking to ensure each school meets the highest standard for granting degrees. Prospective students can use the list to find the right fit for their budget, interests, and career goals.
Featured Online Schools
The Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,789
- Out-of-state$32,789
- In-State$15,768
- Out-of-state$15,768
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled4,838
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
University of Rhode Island
- Kingston, RI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,590
- Out-of-state$29,710
- In-State$13,734
- Out-of-state$26,512
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled17,465
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
Salve Regina University
- Newport, RI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$40,750
- Out-of-state$40,750
- In-State$10,890
- Out-of-state$10,890
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled2,771
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Johnson & Wales University-Online
- Providence, RI
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$13,365
- Out-of-state$13,365
- In-State$13,734
- Out-of-state$13,734
- Retention Rate25%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled1,752
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
New England Institute of Technology
- East Greenwich, RI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,100
- Out-of-state$29,100
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled2,516
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Rhode Island
2022
Online Colleges in Rhode Island Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyEmployment in Rhode Island
Rhode Islanders benefit from above-average salaries and a strong economy. Rhode Island’s major industries include biomedical sciences, cybersecurity and data analytics, maritime fields like shipbuilding and environmental preservation, and business services. Transportation and tourism also have strong growth projections.
Rhode Islanders earn salaries above the national average. The mean annual wage in Rhode Island exceeds $60,000, compared to the national mean of $56,310. As of Jan. 2021, the state’s 7.2% unemployment rate slightly exceeds the national unemployment rate, and its 110.6 cost of living also exceeds the national average.
By earning a college degree, Rhode Islanders increase their career options and earning potential. More than 1 in 3 Rhode Islanders possess a bachelor’s degree or higher, and many of the state’s highest-paying and fastest-growing careers require a bachelor’s-level education. As the data below show, several of Rhode Island’s fastest-growing careers offer six-figure salaries.
The following information covers some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in Rhode Island. Salary information applies specifically to Rhode Island, while job growth data pertains to the United States.
| Career | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Annual Mean Salary (2020) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 32% | $130,620 | Bachelor’s |
| Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 22% | $108,060 | Bachelor’s |
| Financial Managers | 15% | $169,070 | Bachelor’s |
| Management Analysts | 11% | $93,980 | Bachelor’s |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 10% | $156,980 | Bachelor’s |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 7% | $99,010 | Bachelor’s |
| Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 6% | $88,110 | Bachelor’s |
| Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other | 5% | $88,930 | Bachelor’s |
| General and Operations Managers | 4% | $155,290 | Bachelor’s |
| Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | 4% | $206,670 | Doctoral |
Online Associate Degrees in Rhode Island
Many Rhode Island colleges also offer online associate degrees. An associate degree offers foundational training in business, technology, the liberal arts, and engineering. The Community College of Rhode Island offers online courses at a significant discount compared to four-year tuition rates.
After completing associate degrees, graduates can enter the workforce in fields like allied healthcare, applied technology, or other vocational fields. A transfer-ready associate degree often meets the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree. With an associate degree, students can transfer into four-year colleges and complete bachelor’s degree in about two years.
Online Graduate Degrees in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s universities offer many online graduate programs in diverse disciplines. For example, graduate students can earn an online master’s in healthcare management or an online master’s in library and information studies from the University of Rhode Island. Roger Williams University offers online graduate degrees in subjects like criminal justice, public administration, and cybersecurity. These programs prepare graduates for careers in growing industries in Rhode Island.
Online programs appeal to working professionals seeking career advancement or to transition into a new career. The flexible schedule of an online program makes it easier to work while completing graduate courses. Many online programs accept transfer credits, which can shorten the degree timeline and save students money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roger Williams University, the University of Rhode Island, and Johnson & Wales University rank among the most popular online colleges in Rhode Island.
An online enrollment status can save students money. In addition to potential tuition discounts, distance learners can save on transportation, living expenses, and other costs. However, online programs can also include additional fees, so it’s good to do your own research before enrolling.
The most popular degrees in Rhode Island include business, healthcare, education, and the liberal arts. Many online colleges in Rhode Island offer fully online degrees in these areas.
Yes. Many colleges and universities offer fully online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels across a variety of fields.
An online degree from an accredited college meets the same educational standards as an in-person degree. Often, the degree iself won’t even say that it was earned online. As a result, employers will hire candidates with online degrees.
