Data shows that students paid $32,341 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $1,135 more than the previous school year.
Among the 19 institutions in the state, Brown University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $65,146. Providence College followed with an average of $57,928 per year. Community College of Rhode Island students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $5,346.
At the time, a total of $247.3 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started college in Rhode Island. Additionally, federal student loans reached $86.6 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Average Tuition Fees | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Brown University | $65,146 | 7,639 |
| Providence College | $57,928 | 3,996 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | $57,505 | 2,108 |
| Bryant University | $49,329 | 3,204 |
| Salve Regina University | $46,000 | 2,190 |
| Roger Williams University | $40,962 | 4,103 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | $38,492 | 4,158 |
| New England Institute of Technology | $33,900 | 1,720 |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | $28,973 | 673 |
| University of Rhode Island | $26,895 | 14,768 |
| IYRS School of Technology & Trades | $22,590 | 83 |
| Empire Beauty School-Warwick | $17,250 | 135 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Rhode Island | $16,437 | 129 |
| Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Cranston | $16,138 | 130 |
| Rhode Island College | $14,073 | 4,719 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | $13,365 | 1,843 |
| New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island | $12,095 | 276 |
| College Unbound | $9,984 | 285 |
| Community College of Rhode Island | $5,346 | 12,263 |
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