Rhode Island Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
If you’re thinking about teaching in Rhode Island, you’ll need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program at an accredited college or university. This guide offers an overview of your options for earning a teaching degree or certification in Rhode Island. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved schools, along with tailored lists of well-regarded and affordable programs to help you choose the best path for your teaching career in the state.
Table of Contents
- RI Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 5 Affordable RI Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Rhode Island Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Rhode Island Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares eight Rhode Island teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Rhode Island traditional certification guide and our Rhode Island alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | No | 24 | 24 | 100% | — | — | — | $27,659 |
| Johnson & Wales University | No | 26 | 16 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $29,560 |
| Providence College | No | 257 | 67 | 73% | — | — | — | $37,284 |
| Rhode Island College | No | 406 | 96 | 97% | — | — | — | $10,557 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | No | 10 | 9 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $40,048 |
| Roger Williams University | No | 217 | 36 | 67% | — | — | — | $34,890 |
| Salve Regina University | No | 217 | 51 | 86% | — | — | — | $35,620 |
| University of Rhode Island | No | 810 | 168 | 75% | — | — | — | $15,386 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Rhode Island
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These four most affordable schools have a net price under $30,000.
- Rhode Island College ($10,557)
- University of Rhode Island ($15,386)
- Brown University ($27,659)
- Johnson & Wales University ($29,560)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Rhode Island
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Rhode Island
Our list of the top three bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Brown University (100%)
- Rhode Island College (97%)
- Salve Regina University (86%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The Rhode Island school below offers associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Community College of Rhode Island
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/