Online Schools In Rhode Island

Q: Which Rhode Island Schools Accept the Most Transfer Credits?

Rhode Island’s Board of Education, along with several of the state’s public colleges and universities, created Rhode Island Transfers, which aims to simplify credit transfers between schools. One of the program’s main features, the joint admissions agreement, allows for the transfer of 60 credits from a community college to a public bachelor’s program. Rhode Island College, a public university, allows students to transfer up to 75 credits. Private Roger Williams University accepts up to 75 transfer credits from accredited four-year programs, and 60 from two-year schools. The University of Rhode Island accepts no more than 60, as does Providence College. Brown University imposes one of the most restrictive transfer policies in the state. The Ivy League institution does not accept credits from online courses, summer credits, or credits earned from dual-enrollment curricula, nor do they evaluate credits until students have enrolled. The Rhode Island School of Design limits undergraduate students to 12 transfer credits after they enroll.

Q: Will Any Online Colleges in Rhode Island Accept a GED?

All of the state’s public colleges and universities, including the Community College of Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island College accept the GED. The CCRI even schedules classes to help adults achieve their high school equivalency. Johnson and Wales and Roger Williams do accept the GED for their continuing education classes, and Roger Williams also hosts classes to help people earn it. The Rhode Island School of Design accepts high school equivalency diplomas in some cases. Providence College does not accept the GED.

Q: How Many Academic Terms per Year Do Online Colleges in Rhode Island Offer?

Most online colleges in Rhode Island follow the traditional semester-based calendar. Many schools, like CCRI and URI, do hold online classes during an additional summer session. No schools feature the asynchronous, year-round, rolling-start classes found at universities elsewhere. Roger Williams University offers eight-week minimesters, which allow students to work at their own pace and earn degrees quickly.

Q: Which Online Colleges in Rhode Island Will Accept the FAFSA?

Students seeking help paying for college should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is accepted by several Rhode Island online colleges. URI considers online learning an extension of its campus programs, and accepts the FAFSA as part of its usual admissions process. CCRI treats online students the same way. Providence College makes no distinction between online and on-campus students, and accepts the FAFSA as part of admissions. Salve Regina requires that its continuing education students file the FAFSA every year. JWU Online also encourages applicants to submit the federal aid form. Roger Williams’ School of Continuing Studies recommends that students fill out the FAFSA.

Q: Are There Any Free Online Classes I Can Take From Rhode Island Colleges?

Several universities in Rhode Island offer free online classes using the massive open online course format (MOOC). Brown University, for example, sponsors BrownX in an attempt to provide educational opportunity and positive impacts on the community. Brown allows anyone to audit five MOOC classes, including introduction to engineering and design, beyond medical histories, fantastic places, unhuman humans, artful medicine, and the ethics of memory. Students can order a certificate of proof of completion for a small fee. RISDE, likewise, offers a MOOC class in Python programming through Kadenze. The University of Rhode Island features a few MOOC classes in subjects like nonviolence, biotechnology, copyright, and data science. Providence College hosts a conference exploring the free and open phenomenon of MOOCs. Rhode Island also provides an array of free online retraining-type classes.

Updated on February 18, 2026

Ranking
Why Choose Rhode Island
FAQ
Grants and Scholarships

Get started with your search for top-ranked schools in Rhode Island. Discover which colleges offer programs that fit your needs.

Jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree in Rhode Island will grow by about 8% from 2022-2032, according to state projections data. Projections also show roles requiring a master’s degree and an associate degree will grow by 12% and 8%, respectively.

Our ranking of affordable online colleges in Rhode Island considers both cost and quality. We reviewed tuition, online program options, student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rates, financial aid, and job placement services. All schools are accredited by recognized agencies.

Rhode Island’s Top Affordable Online Colleges

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

Johnson & Wales University-Online

Providence, RI
4 year
Online
Accredited

A Providence-based school, Johnson & Wales University-Online ranks among the top schools for offering in-person and online undergraduate and graduate degrees. The private institution offers 16 online bachelor's programs and eight online master's programs.

The programs at the online school span diverse disciplines, such as business, STEM, and healthcare. Virtual programs usually feature a remote learning environment for distance learners to complete their classwork. Students benefit from the individualized study plans they design in collaboration with faculty mentors and academic advisors. Tutoring services, financial aid counseling, and career services at the school support online degree-seekers in their educational pursuits.

Enrollees earn bachelor's and master's degrees with 120 and 30 credits, respectively. Remote learners often meet the criteria for scholarships, federal financial aid, and other forms of financial aid.

100%

Online Enrollment

$13,365

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

54%

Retention Rate

$13,365

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 54%

Students Enrolled: 2,597

Institution Type: Private

Our Methodology

Why Choose Rhode Island for Online Higher Education?

Rhode Island may be the nation’s smallest state, but it already boasts an array of online educational opportunities through both public and private universities. Rhode Island has 16 public and private institutions, including one Ivy League school, Brown University. Approximately 29% of Rhode Island college students studied exclusively online in the fall of 2024, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Cost of Attending an Online College in Rhode Island

The cost of attending college in Rhode Island is above the national average, for both in-state and out-of-state students. However, tuition costs vary, and some may be higher or lower than the state or national average. Many online universities in Rhode Island also charge the same flat fee to students regardless of their state of residency.

In-State Tuition

$14,744 – public, four-year institution
$5,090 – public, two-year institution

Out-of-State Tuition

$33,879 – public, four-year institution
$13,552 – public, two-year institution

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Considering a Rhode Island School as an Out-of-State Student

Rhode Island participates in the New England tuition break program, which allows nonresident students to attend public universities in any of the five other participating New England states at a substantial discount if their home state does not offer the program they seek. According to the New England Board of Higher Education, students save about $8,500 in tuition through the tuition break program.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island’s Online Schools

We’ve answered some of the most common questions from prospective online students in Rhode Island below.

Do Online Credits Cost More or Less in Rhode Island?

Online credit costs in Rhode Island vary by school, institution type, and degree program. For example, Johnson & Wales University, a private school in Rhode Island, charged $495 per undergraduate online credit for the 2025-2026 school year. Southern Wesleyan University, a private school in South Carolina, charged $462. In general, public colleges typically cost less, while private or more prestigious schools often charge higher tuition.

Which Rhode Island Schools Accept the Most Transfer Credits?

Will Any Online Colleges in Rhode Island Accept a GED?

How Many Academic Terms per Year Do Online Colleges in Rhode Island Offer?

Which Online Colleges in Rhode Island Will Accept the FAFSA?

Are There Any Free Online Classes I Can Take From Rhode Island Colleges?

Rhode Island Grants and Scholarships

Every prospective college student seeking financial aid should start by completing the FAFSA, which helps determine whether students qualify for aid. For many degree candidates, federal Pell Grants prove extremely helpful in paying for school. Local aid resources may prove helpful, as well. Across Rhode Island, communities, charitable organizations, and businesses offer scholarships and grants to give students a leg up on their college expenses. These can prove particularly helpful to students seeking advanced degrees, or those who may not otherwise qualify for a Pell Grant.

Patty and Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship

Just as its name suggests, the Alperin scholarships go to Rhode Island residents who represent the first in their families to attend college. Based on need, these renewable scholarships help students attend accredited two- and four-year schools.

Scholarship Amount: Up to $1,500

Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship

Providing higher educational opportunities to African Americans, these need-based, renewable scholarships serve recent high school graduates and adults from Rhode Island. Applicants must pursue a healthcare degree at an accredited university or technical school.

Scholarship Amount: Up to $15,000

Carter Roger Williams Scholarships

Established to honor the legacy of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, these grants cater to students who understand and embody Williams’ legacy. Applicants must reside in Rhode Island, enroll in high school, and gain admission to an accredited university. Judges select students based on need, academic record, and their ability to communicate their own connection to Roger Williams.

Scholarship Amount: Up to $20,000

Michael P. Metcalf Memorial Fund and Christine T. Grinavic Adventurer’s Fund

These scholarships fund travel and other opportunities for personal growth. Not intended for standard study-abroad programs, these funds can apply to internships, service programs, and other adventurers that broaden students’ perspectives. Successful applicants must provide a detailed description of their enrichment plan.

Scholarship Amount: $5,000