2026 Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Rhode Island? Our ranking highlights 21 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 20 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 21 Nursing Degree Schools in Rhode Island
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is New England Institute Of Technology, our #1 Nursing school in Rhode Island. Located in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,275. New England Institute Of Technology Nursing students take on a median of $24,586 in debt. Get the full New England Institute Of Technology report
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The strong Nursing programs at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #2 place in Rhode Island. Located in Warwick, RI, Community College Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Community College Of Rhode Island Nursing students take on a median of $13,940 in debt. See the full Community College Of Rhode Island profile
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Out of the 20 schools in Rhode Island in this year's ranking, Salve Regina University landed the #3 spot. Located in Newport, RI, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. More on Salve Regina University
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the top choices in Rhode Island. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
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A rank of #5 makes Rhode Island College one of the top choices in Rhode Island. Rhode Island College is a public school based in Providence, RI. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. More on Rhode Island College
Request InformationProvidence College did well this year, earning the #6 position. More on Providence College
Request InformationRhode Island School Of Design landed the #7 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read more about Rhode Island School Of Design
Request InformationJohnson And Wales University Providence placed #8 among Nursing schools in Rhode Island. See the full Johnson And Wales University Providence profile
Request InformationEmpire Beauty School Warwick placed #9 among Nursing schools in Rhode Island. Read more about Empire Beauty School Warwick
Request InformationNew England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island
Request InformationLincoln Technical Institute Lincoln placed #11 among Nursing schools in Rhode Island. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln
Request InformationRoger Williams University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. More on Roger Williams University
Request InformationMotoring Technical Training Institute East Providence landed the #13 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read more about Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence
Request InformationRoger Williams University School Of Law did well this year, earning the #14 position. Read the full report on Roger Williams University School Of Law
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College Unbound
College Unbound did well this year, earning the #15 position. See the full College Unbound profile
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Brown University
Brown University placed #16 among Nursing schools in Rhode Island. Read more about Brown University
Request InformationPaul Mitchell The School Rhode Island landed the #17 spot in Rhode Island this year. More on Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island
Request InformationInternational Yacht Restoration School did well this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about International Yacht Restoration School
Request InformationBryant University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Bryant University
Request InformationJohnson And Wales University Online landed the #20 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read more about Johnson And Wales University Online
Request InformationToni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston came in at #21 in this year's ranking. See the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston profile
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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