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Community-college tuition in Rhode Island

Published in-state tuition for community colleges in Rhode Island, ranked highest to lowest. Use this as a quick reference for comparing the published price tag across institutions; for a full picture of what you'll actually pay, see each college's profile and our cost-and-aid guide for Rhode Island.

  1. New England Institute of TechnologyEast Greenwich, RI$37,275
  2. Community College of Rhode IslandWarwick, RI$5,550

How to read this table

The published rate is what the institution charges before financial aid is applied. Rhode Island community colleges are funded through a combination of state appropriations, local tax support (in many states), and student tuition; the public colleges on this list are required to publish their tuition schedules and report them annually to the U.S. Department of Education. Private nonprofit and private for-profit two-year colleges in Rhode Island report similarly but may not benefit from state subsidy, which is why their tuition rates can be substantially higher.

Tuition alone is the smallest component of a community-college cost decision for most students. The full annual cost of attendance — including required fees, books, supplies, transportation, and (when applicable) room and board — is consistently several times the tuition figure shown here. Federal Pell Grants, state grant programs in Rhode Island, and institutional aid typically reduce the out-of-pocket cost dramatically, often to zero for the lowest-income students. Always file the FAFSA before you decide which community college is most affordable for you personally; the answer based on real cost is frequently different from the answer based on sticker price.

If you are not a Rhode Island resident, expect a meaningfully higher tuition rate at most public community colleges in the state. Out-of-state tuition is reported on each college's full profile.