Best colleges for Registered Nursing in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University and Rhode Island College are the top bachelor's Registered Nursing programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. University of Rhode Island leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $82,218, College Scorecard. University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Salve Regina University award the most Registered Nursing degrees in Rhode Island: 256, 176 and 134 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Rhode Island colleges offer Registered Nursing and award 982 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,218 | 256 | 73% | — | $26,390 |
| 2 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,876 | 134 | 77% | $31,899 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Rhode Island College Providence Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,235 | 176 | 48% | — | $27,000 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $73,631 | 134 | 60% | $36,659 | $26,624 |
| 2 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick Public · Associate degree | $66,988 | 264 | 26% | — | $21,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Registered Nursing degrees in Rhode Island
Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public | 256 | $82,218 |
| 2 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 176 | $73,235 |
| 3 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit | 134 | $78,876 |
| 4 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Rhode Island colleges offering Registered Nursing
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Public | 264 |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich | Private not-for-profit | 134 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Top skills
What Registered Nurses earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Registered Nursing programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Registered Nursing degrees?+
University of Rhode Island (256 graduates a year), Rhode Island College (176 graduates a year) and Salve Regina University (134 graduates a year) award the most Registered Nursing degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Rhode Island colleges offer Registered Nursing.
What is the best college for Registered Nursing in Rhode Island?+
By graduate earnings, University of Rhode Island leads among bachelor's Registered Nursing programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $82,218, College Scorecard. Salve Regina University and Rhode Island College follow. By degrees awarded, University of Rhode Island is the largest, with 256 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Registered Nursing program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Rhode Island tops the list at $82,218. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Registered Nurses earn in Rhode Island?+
The average annual wage for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island is $101,260 (median $100,640), across about 10,090 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Registered Nursing program?+
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 189,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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