Pro Tip
All three ranked colleges in this guide provide scholarships to undergraduate students, so make sure you fill out the required applications. Do not take out student loans except as a last resort.
Consider Your Future Goals
Each online college in Rhode Island – and each program offered at these three schools – is unique. It is imperative to choose the option that best aligns with your future goals.
For example, consider whether or not you eventually need to earn state licensure in your career. If you do, you should double-check to make sure that your chosen program in Rhode Island will provide the field experience and accreditation required to meet licensure obligations in your state. If you plan on entering a field like nursing, teaching or social work, pay special attention to licensure requirements.
You might also consider whether you want to eventually attend graduate school. If you are entering a field like business or psychology, examine your prospective program’s curriculum to ensure that you will be prepared for coursework at the master’s or doctoral levels.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Annual undergraduate tuition and fees for the three schools in our guide range from $13,365 to $41,398. A typical bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete, so you can anticipate total costs of around $50,000 to more than $165,000. For a point of comparison, the National Center for Education Statistics found that the average private, four-year, nonprofit university charged $38,421 in tuition during the 2022-2023 academic year.
To reduce the cost of your education, make sure to fill out the FAFSA. Doing so can help you access grants, scholarships and work-study programs.
All three qualifying online colleges in Rhode Island also offer scholarships to undergraduate students. Some scholarships provide automatic consideration to all admitted students, while others require a separate application.