Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island (RI): Top Schools in 2024

Rhode Island has a number of colleges with online learning options. Home to Brown University, one of eight Ivy League schools in the U.S., Rhode Island also has nine other colleges and universities that offer quality, accredited programs available entirely or partially online. If you’re a Rhode Island resident, there’s a good chance you won’t need to look beyond the state’s borders to find the online degree program you want.

This guide shows you how to find the right online degree program in Rhode Island for you, starting with a ranking of the state’s top online schools. You’ll also find information on program types, delivery formats, tuition costs, and more.

Top Online Colleges in Rhode Island: The Best of 2023

The best place to start your search for an online college in Rhode Island is at the top. The research team at onlinecolleges.me has analyzed and identified the best online schools in the state based on affordability, accreditation, degree options, study flexibility, low student-to-teacher ratios, and access to quality student support services. Here are the Rhode Island online colleges leading the way for 2023.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools

1
University of Rhode Island

Kingston, Rhode Island

Public $$$
The University of Rhode Island, the largest four-year university in the state, offers several advanced online programs for students aiming for the next level in their careers. You’ll find programs for graduate and undergraduate level degrees, as well as professional certificates, like quantum computing and fisheries science. URI Online is also recognized as a Gold Military Friendly school, designed for active and veteran military members. Many graduate-level programs are offered in an asynchronous format, giving students the flexibility to complete their coursework. Master’s programs include oceanography, library and information studies, public administration, and more.
Program Highlights:
Master of Data Science
- Credits: 30
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $823/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Master of Science, Healthcare Management
- Credits: 30
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $823/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Master of Public Administration
- Credits: 36
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $823/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

17/1

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools

1
Community College of Rhode Island

Warwick, Rhode Island

Public $
The Community College of Rhode Island is the largest community college in Rhode Island. With more than 20 years of online learning experience, CCRI has a vast amount of resources to support online students. The online degree programs are very similar to the in-person offerings. For example, you can complete a degree in two years if you take 15 credits in both the fall and spring. You can also choose to enroll in online summer courses to earn 30 credits in one year. CCRI also has more than 70 articular agreements through the New England region, which should help those students who want to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. The business and professional studies program will prepare students to transfer to a four-year college of business and pursue studies in accounting, economics and more.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Science
- Credits: 62
- Length: 4 semesters
- Cost: $210/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

20/1

Discover Popular Online College Learning Modes in Rhode Island

As you begin your degree search, it’s important to take note of the various modes and formats used by online colleges to deliver their program content. Understanding how they all work is essential for finding the one program that best matches how, when, and where you learn best. Below are descriptions of the most common delivery modes and formats used by online colleges in Rhode Island, along with examples of actual degree programs that use them.

Fully-Online vs. Hybrid/Blended

When it comes to online programs, “online” doesn’t necessarily mean entirely online. You’ll often run into the terms “hybrid” and “blended” as well, both of which refer to a mix of online and in-person components. Although sometimes used interchangeably, hybrid programs have totally or partially replaced on-campus classes with online classes while blended programs are supplemented with online components such as readings, assignments, tests, etc.

You’ll also encounter programs labeled “fully online” or “100% online,” which typically means that all program components are online. Be careful, though, since fully online sometimes only refers to didactic coursework and may include on-campus activities like labs, exams, and introductory seminars. Fully-online programs in nursing and teaching, for example, lead to state licensure and almost always include clinical rotation hours or classroom observation experiences.

Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership at Brown University (Blended/Hybrid)

The Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership from private, Ivy League Brown University is designed for busy healthcare professionals intent on becoming transformative leaders in the healthcare industry. The 16-month program is in a blended format that combines online coursework with face-to-face residencies on Brown’s Providence campus. Online classes are a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous formats, and residencies are typically one week each semester. Students work collaboratively with faculty, peers, professional colleagues, and others throughout the program on a Critical Challenge Project (CCP) related to their healthcare organization or an area of personal interest. Students present their CCPs at a five-day residency during the last month of the program.

Basic admissions criteria include an undergraduate degree and at least seven years of professional healthcare experience. There is no GRE/GMAT requirement. Tuition and fees are $92,000, and the program begins every January.

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity & Networking at Roger Williams University (Fully Online)

The convenient BS in Cybersecurity & Networking at Roger Williams University is 100% online in an asynchronous format, so students can complete their coursework on their schedules. They can also attend some courses in-person on campus if they want. The 120-credit curriculum consists of general education coursework and major-specific required and elective courses covering subjects like hardware, software, programming languages, networking, and security. Credits may be awarded for work or military experience and self-taught skills through the school’s prior learning assessment process. Graduates work in a variety of technology and security occupations throughout the IT industry.

Tuition is $1,299 for each three-credit course. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent and some hardware and software experience. There are no entrance exams, ACT/SAT, GPA, or other admission requirements.

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous

The content of degree programs at online colleges in Rhode Island is delivered either asynchronously or synchronously. Asynchronous coursework offers convenience since students can access and complete coursework at any time that works best for their busy schedules. This is particularly important to working students, especially mid-career professionals earning their degrees while maintaining full-time employment. Synchronous programs, on the other hand, allow you to interact with instructors and fellow students in real-time during livestreamed class sessions.

Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and Applied Analytics at the University of Rhode Island (Asynchronous)

The MS in Supply Chain Management and Applied Analytics is one of several master’s degrees offered by the University of Rhode Island that features coursework delivered online in an asynchronous format. The 30-credit curriculum includes 10 courses presented in seven-week modules that follow an accelerated calendar through the fall, spring, and summer terms. Both one-year and two-year completion options are available. The program culminates with a Lean Six Sigma Protocols course that includes a capstone experience through a directed experience with a program-affiliated partner organization. The program does not include a comprehensive exam or thesis requirement. Graduates earn Lean Six Sigma certification along with their degrees.

The $1,012/credit tuition includes a technology fee. Admission is open to applicants with bachelor’s degrees from regionally accredited institutions. GRE or GMAT scores are required if applicants do not meet waiver requirements.

URI’s MS in Supply Chain Management and Applied Analytics program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and is a member of the National Professional Science Master’s Association.

Master of Arts in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at Salve Regina University (Synchronous)

Salve Regina University, a private, Catholic institution offers two master’s degree options in the rehabilitation counseling field, including this CACREP-accredited MA in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. This 60-credit MA provides the didactic coursework and clinical practice hours along with a required clinical internship that leads to mental health counselor licensure in Rhode Island and most other states. Graduates can also sit for the certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) exam.

Didactic coursework is entirely online with almost all classes in a synchronous format on weekday evenings, though some are during the day or on weekends. Clinical experiences totaling 1,300 hours are in-person at program-approved rehabilitation and mental health locations. After completing coursework and clinical hours, students complete 2,000 hours at an on-site supervised clinical internship to qualify for mental health counselor licensure.

Students with an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any major are eligible for admission. Tuition is $670/credit.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time

It’s quite common for Rhode Island schools to offer full-time and part-time options for the same program. Part-time programs are popular with students who are employed full-time and must work their studies into an already packed schedule. Full-time programs provide a faster study pace and allow you to complete your degree and move forward in your career more quickly.

Bachelor of Arts in History at Providence College (Part-Time)

The BA in History program at Providence College prepares students for careers in fields like research, teaching, government, law, journalism, and others. It also provides a solid foundation for graduate study in history and related disciplines. Students complete 33 credits of required and elective history coursework in U.S., European, and non-Western history plus 15 credits of free electives that can be used toward an undergraduate certificate in business, leadership, legal studies, management, and organizational communications. The remaining 42 credits for the degree are made up of general education courses completed at Providence College or transferred from other accredited postsecondary institutions. Up to 75 earned college credits may be transferred into the program. The program’s part-time format can be taken year-round in the evenings, both online and on campus. The cost is $404/credit.

Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Track at the New England Institute of Technology (Full-Time)

The New England Institute of Technology, a private university in East Greenwich, offers nearly two dozen undergraduate and graduate degrees either entirely or partially online. This includes the MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track that features a full-time program typically completed in 24 months. This hybrid program’s coursework is mostly asynchronous and online, but it also includes a clinical immersion course with an in-person component attended over one or two weekends. Other program components may also require online attendance at scheduled times. Students also complete 750 clinical practice hours for FNP certification eligibility.

Tuition for this 66-credit MSN program is $360/credit. Admission is open to current RNs with either BSNs or non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and at least one year of RN clinical practice experience. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Rhode Island’s Online Colleges: The Importance of Accreditation

Proper accreditation tells you if a program and the school offering it meet minimum standards of academic quality. Postsecondary accreditation in the U.S. takes two fundamental forms: institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation concerns the vetting of a school’s academic integrity when taken as a whole and is handled by several independent national and regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The regional accreditor of postsecondary institutions in Rhode Island is the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Programmatic accreditation refers to the vetting of individual degree programs. It is administered by over six dozen accrediting organizations, each of which focuses on a specific academic field or professional discipline. Not all fields and disciplines have programmatic accreditation, but it is important for programs that prepare graduates for state professional licensure or certification (e.g., engineering, nursing, and teaching).

To learn more about the importance of accreditation in postsecondary education, visit this guide to accreditation.

Investing in Your Future: Cost of an Online Degree in Rhode Island

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Rhode Island residents at public institutions pay about $13,700 for their degrees. Students at private schools pay about $45,900. The exact cost of your online degree will depend on several factors. Whether your college is public or private, with private schools generally charging higher tuition rates, and whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree impact the cost.

The chart below offers current undergraduate tuition rates for five colleges in Rhode Island to give you a more specific idea of the cost. Remember, though, that your total cost will be higher once program fees and the costs for books, supplies, etc. are added. Also, remember that you’ll save money taking online programs simply by having to travel less to and from campus.

School Name	On-Campus In-State	On-Campus Out-of-State	Online In-State	Online Out-of-State
Johnson & Wales University	$1,053/credit	$1,053/credit	$495/credit	$495/credit
New England Institute of Technology	$500 to $700/credit	$500-$700/credit	$260 to $625/credit	$260 to $625/credit
Rhode Island College	$372/credit	$559/credit to $919/credit	$347/credit	$347/credit
Salve Regina University	$1,508/credit	$1,508/credit	$288 to $350/credit	$288 to $350/credit
University of Rhode Island	$566/credit	$991/credit to $1,336/credit	$566/credit	$566/credit

* Figures are tuition only and do not include additional program fees.

Financial Aid for Rhode Island Online Students

When it comes to financial aid, the good news for students at online colleges in Rhode Island is that the same funding resources available to students in traditional on-campus degree programs are available to them as well. These include scholarships, grants, student loans like those from the Federal Student Aid program, loan forgiveness and repayment programs, employer tuition reimbursement programs, fellowships and assistantships for grad students, and VA education benefits for active and retired military.

Start your college funding search within the State of Rhode Island. Here are three excellent state government-affiliated online resources to check out:

Other sources include the financial aid websites of individual Rhode Island colleges and universities like these:

You’ll also want to check this scholarship search engine from the Rhode Island Foundation. For more information and advice on funding your college education, visit these guides to financial aid and scholarships.

In-Demand College-Level Careers in Rhode Island

Before you enroll in any degree program, it’s important to have a good idea of the field you want to pursue. If you aren’t sure, though, first consider the careers with the greatest growth potential such as ten of the fastest-growing occupations in Rhode Island listed in the table below.

Career	Job Growth (2020-2030)	Annual Mean Wage (2021)
Information Security Analysts	35%	$102,310
Data Scientists	34.6%	$103,950
Logisticians	34%	$80,180
Museum Technicians and Conservators	31.3%	$48,550
Physical Therapist Assistants	30.3%	$70,690
Software Developers	28%	$128,790
Medical and Health Services Managers	26.6%	$132,080
Operations Research Analysts	25.6%	$82,360 (National)
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	25.5%	$71,980
Occupational Therapy Assistants	25%	$62,190

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Projections Central

Resources for Online College in Rhode Island

Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Rhode Island

This association represents the eight independent, private nonprofit colleges and universities in Rhode Island. You can access demographic data on Rhode Island’s private colleges and their students as well as detailed descriptions and consumer information for each member institution.

Learning and Study Strategies

Written specifically for students at Salve Regina University making the transition to online learning, this webpage offers advice to anyone starting an online degree program regardless of where they go to school.

New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE)

The NEBHE is an interstate compact between the six New England States facilitating cooperation and collaboration in their higher education systems. Its Tuition Break program provides substantial cost savings to New England residents when they enroll in out-of-state public college programs.

Online Learning Success

Another source of advice helping students thrive in the online academic environment, this site is presented by the Community College of Rhode Island. Topics headings include Getting You Ready!, Set up Your Tech, Stay Motivated!, and Communicate Effectively.

Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

This site’s mission is to “ensure, promote, and expand postsecondary attainment among all Rhode Islanders.” It offers information on the state’s three public postsecondary institutions, financial aid resources, and more.

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA)

Not just about loans, this RISLA’s website provides covers a wide range of subjects concerning all types of college funding. You’ll also find advice on choosing a college, applying to college, writing resumes and essays, and much more.

Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island