Rhode Island, the smallest US state, has three main colleges producing BSN graduates, with most clinical training in and around Providence. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 3.
Imagine you want to train as a nurse in Rhode Island. In a state this small, your choice is between a private Catholic university by the sea in Newport, the state’s flagship university, and a public college in Providence. Here is how they compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Rhode Island that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Rhode Island nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salve Regina University | Newport | Private nonprofit | 73% | 89 | $84,200 | $52,230 |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island | Kingston | Public | 72% | 261 | $87,535 | $17,476 |
| 3 | Rhode Island College | Providence | Public | 45% | 134 | $81,455 | $11,709 |
Top Rhode Island nursing schools reviewed
1. Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University in Newport is a private Catholic university with a BSN programme and the highest graduation rate on our Rhode Island list.
- Graduation rate: 73%, number 1 in Rhode Island on our list
- Programme size: about 89 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $84,200 one year after graduating
- Cost: $52,230 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 68%
2. University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the state’s flagship public university and its largest BSN producer, with its College of Nursing based in Kingston and at a nursing education centre in Providence.
- Graduation rate: 72%, number 2 in Rhode Island on our list
- Programme size: about 261 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, the largest BSN programme in Rhode Island
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $87,535 one year after graduating
- Cost: $17,476 in-state tuition ($38,398 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 72%
3. Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College in Providence is a public college whose School of Nursing educates many of the nurses who work in the state’s hospitals.
- Graduation rate: 45%, number 3 in Rhode Island on our list
- Programme size: about 134 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $81,455 one year after graduating
- Cost: $11,709 in-state tuition ($28,268 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 92%
Studying nursing in Rhode Island: what to know
Most of Rhode Island’s hospitals are in and around Providence, so students at all three colleges complete clinical placements within a short distance of campus. The state’s compact size means nurses can easily work across different health systems, and as a Nurse Licensure Compact member, Rhode Island licence holders can also work in neighbouring compact states. Several community and private colleges in the state also offer associate degree and RN-to-BSN programmes.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Rhode Island
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. Rhode Island is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Rhode Island offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 3 colleges in Rhode Island produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 484 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Rhode Island nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Salve Regina University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 73%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 261 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Rhode Island?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $81,455 to $87,535, with a typical (median) figure of about $84,200. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Rhode Island?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $11,709 to $17,476 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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