2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Rhode Island
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Rhode Island? Our ranking highlights 21 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 5 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 21 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Rhode Island
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Community College Of Rhode Island this year 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,659. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Community College Of Rhode Island profile
You'll get strong value at Rhode Island College, which ranked #2 this year. Rhode Island College is a public school based in Providence, RI. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. More on Rhode Island College
University Of Rhode Island came in at #3 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Rhode Island. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. 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. Median earnings reach $69,743 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
New England Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,684 ten years after entry. Set against $24,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted. Get the full New England Institute Of Technology report
You'll get strong value at Salve Regina University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Newport, RI, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Median earnings reach $72,975 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salve Regina University has an acceptance rate of 68%. More on Salve Regina University
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island placed #6 among the best-value Nursing schools in Rhode Island. Read the full report on New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. See the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston profile
Providence College placed #8 among the best-value Nursing schools in Rhode Island. More on Providence College
Roger Williams University landed the #9 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. More on Roger Williams University
Johnson And Wales University Providence offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. See the full Johnson And Wales University Providence profile
Roger Williams University School Of Law offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Read the full report on Roger Williams University School Of Law
Bryant University landed the #12 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. More on Bryant University
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Rhode Island School Of Design
College Unbound
College Unbound landed the #14 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. See the full College Unbound profile
Empire Beauty School Warwick ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Empire Beauty School Warwick
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island landed the #16 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. More on Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln
International Yacht Restoration School placed #18 among the best-value Nursing schools in Rhode Island. Read more about International Yacht Restoration School
Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence
Johnson And Wales University Online placed #20 among the best-value Nursing schools in Rhode Island. Read more about Johnson And Wales University Online
Brown University
Brown University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about Brown University
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 5 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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