Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island 2025

Students in Rhode Island can earn their degrees through flexible online programs offered by colleges and universities in their state or across the country.

Rhode Island might be the smallest state by area, but it still had over 11,000 students graduate with bachelor's degrees in the 2021-22 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). A bachelor's degree is required for many jobs and can make a huge difference in your career trajectory.

However, many students aren't able to learn in person. That's where online college programs can help. The best online degree programs provide flexibility for busy students while still offering high-quality programs.

Students can earn online degrees in Rhode Island or attend accredited online colleges that offer degrees nationwide. Keep reading to discover the best online colleges in Rhode Island.

Best Accredited Online Colleges in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a small state, so it's no surprise that there's only one college that offers a variety of online programs. We've broken it down more below.

Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales is a private school based in Providence, RI. It offers online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields such as:

business administration
computer science
criminal justice
healthcare

Online learning is offered through JWU's College of Professional Studies. These online courses and programs are designed to provide educational opportunities in a convenient and flexible format.

The tuition rate for online undergraduate programs is $495 per credit hour. Students can take advantage of financial aid opportunities to help them pay for their online programs, and 89% of students are awarded aid each year.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $13,365

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $15,156

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 54%

Retention Rate: 54%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Other Featured Online Schools

Rhode Island residents who want to attend accredited colleges online aren't just stuck with Rhode Island online colleges. There are online colleges across the U.S. that accept students from all states, and we've gone into detail about some top picks below.

Charter Oak State College

At Charter Oak State College, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, cybersecurity, education, and social sciences.

The public, fully online college is based in New Britain, CT, and accredited by the NECHE. Despite being a public university, out-of-state students pay the in-state tuition rate here, which is $329 per credit hour for online undergraduate programs.

Columbia College

Columbia College offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and human services. The private, nonprofit is headquartered in Columbia, MO, but has several campuses scattered throughout the U.S.

The university is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. It charges $375 per credit for online undergraduate programs.

National University

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online through National University. Areas of study include business administration, computer science, healthcare, and social sciences.

The private, nonprofit school is based in San Diego. It's accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and while tuition varies by program, most online undergraduate degrees have a tuition rate of $370 per credit hour.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit school in Manchester, NH. It offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's programs in fields like cybersecurity, human services, liberal arts, and technology.

SNHU is well-known for its distance education programs and is accredited by the NECHE. It charges $330 per credit hour for online bachelor's programs and accepts up to 90 transfer credits.

How We Rank Schools

To find the best colleges online in Rhode Island, we started our methodology by using the NCES and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard as sources. We looked for programs that met the following parameters:

Location: We started by looking specifically at schools in Rhode Island.
Accreditation: We only choose schools that are regionally accredited.
Type: We focused specifically on four-year public schools and private nonprofit institutions.
Online education: We narrowed it down by looking at schools that offer a variety of online degrees, especially online bachelor's degrees, and provide a variety of resources to online learners.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees in Rhode Island

Most online students enjoy the benefits of learning online, but there are upsides and downsides. We've highlighted some common pros and cons below.

Pros of earning an online degree:

Scheduling flexibility: Most online classes are asynchronous, meaning you can complete your coursework at whatever time works best for you.
Location freedom: With online programs, you have the freedom to complete your coursework wherever you prefer.
More options: By choosing to learn online, you can expand your options beyond what the schools in Rhode Island offer.

Cons of earning an online degree:

Requires more self-discipline: It can be easier for students to get distracted when learning online as opposed to going to class in person.
Harder to connect: Some students struggle to forge a connection with their professors or classmates when learning virtually.
Different format: Most online courses require readings, watching videos, and participating in discussion posts. Some students have a harder time learning this way versus attending lectures on campus.

How To Choose the Best Online College in Rhode Island

Choosing the right online college can be hard, especially when you open yourself up to online colleges throughout the country. Some things to consider include:

Accreditation: Whatever school you choose needs to be accredited; look for regional accreditation as nationally accredited online colleges are not held to as high a standard.
Major: Not all schools offer all majors online.
Admissions requirements: Some schools only require a high school diploma for admission, but many have stricter application requirements.
Pace of schedule: Online programs may be offered on a traditional full-time schedule, or they could be offered on part-time, accelerated, or self-paced schedules.
Cost: Tuition rates can vary significantly by school.
Financial aid: Like tuition, your financial aid options can also vary by school.

How Much Does an Online Degree in Rhode Island Cost?

Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island costs $495 per credit hour for online bachelor's degrees. However, the total cost of your degree will depend on many factors, including what financial aid you qualify for.

Tips on How To Make Online College in Rhode Island More Affordable

The best way to make online college affordable is to look for schools with low tuition rates. Public universities, like the University of Rhode Island, don't offer a huge variety of online bachelor's programs, but they are the cheapest online colleges in Rhode Island.

Additionally, both undergraduate and graduate students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows you to qualify for federal and state aid. Below, we've listed some additional resources for finding affordable college programs:

Rhode Island Scholarships & Grants

Grants and scholarships are types of financial aid that you don't need to repay. We've broken down a few programs for Rhode Island residents below.

RISLA Knowledge for College Scholarship

The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) offers the Knowledge for College Scholarship to Rhode Island residents. Students can apply on their website, and RISLA chooses three winners each month. Students are encouraged to apply once a month.

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: September 1, 2025

Carter Roger Williams Scholarship

The Carter Roger Williams Scholarship is offered by the Rhode Island Foundation and offers scholarships to Rhode Island residents attending a Rhode Island School. Application information is available on their website as well.

Award Amount: Up to $20,000 per year

Deadline: March 3, 2025

JWU Professional Student Academic Scholarship

The JWU Professional Student Academic Scholarship is available to eligible students at the undergraduate level who have demonstrated high levels of academic achievement during their prior studies. Students can apply at the Johnson & Wales University website.

Award Amount: Up to $1,000 per year

Deadline: N/A

Top Majors for Rhode Island Graduates

According to the NCES, the most popular fields of study for Rhode Island bachelor's degree students are:

Business: A degree in business can open doors to careers in areas like finance, human resources, marketing, and sales.
Healthcare: Common healthcare majors for bachelor's degree students include nursing, health sciences, and healthcare administration.
Humanities: Humanities is a broad field that encompasses the arts, culture, and language. A degree in any of these fields can lead to a number of career options.
Natural sciences and mathematics: Majoring in natural sciences or mathematics can help students find jobs in academia, research, or fieldwork.
Social sciences and history: Degrees in the social sciences and history can also lead to roles in academia or research, as well as jobs in areas like public policy or social welfare.

FAQs About Accredited Online Colleges in Rhode Island

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about accredited online colleges in Rhode Island.

How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree Online in Rhode Island?

Typically, online bachelor's degrees take four years to complete, while online master's degrees can range from one to three years. However, some schools offer accelerated online degrees in Rhode Island that allow students to finish more quickly.

Are Any Online Colleges Worth It?

For many students, online degrees are completely worth it. They allow students to earn a degree while giving them the freedom and flexibility to continue working, caring for family, or managing other responsibilities.

What Is the Easiest Online College To Get Into in Rhode Island?

The easiest online college to get into in Rhode Island is Rhode Island College, which has an acceptance rate of 81%. However, this school only offers one online degree: a bachelor's in professional studies.

Is Online College Free in Rhode Island?

Online college is not inherently free in Rhode Island. However, through grants and scholarships, you may be able to significantly reduce or completely eliminate your tuition costs.

Discover Online Degrees for Learners in New England

Find the right online college for you by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.