Community College of Rhode Island

  • The Community College of Rhode Island is the state’s only public comprehensive associate degree-granting institution. We provide affordable open access to higher education at locations throughout the state. Our primary mission is to offer recent high school graduates and returning adults the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for intellectual, professional and personal growth through an array of academic, career and lifelong learning programs. We meet the wide-ranging educational needs of our diverse student population, building on our rich tradition of excellence in teaching and our dedication to all students with the ability and motivation to succeed. We set high academic standards necessary for transfer and career success, champion diversity, respond to community needs, and contribute to our state’s economic development and the region’s workforce.

School Highlights

Community College of Rhode Island serves 13,684 students (43% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is same as the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 40%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 13,684 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,950
  • Out-state tuition: $10,582
  • Student:teacher ratio: 15:1
  • Minority enrollment: 35%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 938 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Community College of Rhode Island
(RI) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates--Private Not-for-profit
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Private, non-profit
Total Faculty
938 staff
314 staff
This chart display total faculty of Community College of Rhode Island and community college average number of faculty in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Community College of Rhode Island has declined by 7% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 has decreased from 16:1 over five years.
The Community College of Rhode Island diversity score of 0.54 is less than the state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has declined by 16% over five years.
Total Enrollment
13,684 students
3,977 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Community College of Rhode Island and community college average number of enrollment of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Community College of Rhode Island and community college average student staff ratio of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
5,821 students
2,461 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Community College of Rhode Island and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
7,863 students
1,516 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Community College of Rhode Island and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Community College of Rhode Island.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of RI.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
961 students
845 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
5,821 students
2,326 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Community College of Rhode Island and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
190 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
7,863 students
899 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
617 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Community College of Rhode Island and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in RI by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
4%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Community College of Rhode Island and the percentage of Asian community college students in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
15%
16%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Community College of Rhode Island and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
6%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Community College of Rhode Island and the percentage of Black community college students in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
65%
60%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Community College of Rhode Island and the percentage of White community college students in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
6%
6%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Community College of Rhode Island and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
4%
7%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Community College of Rhode Island.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in RI.
Diversity Score
0.54
0.60
This chart display the diversity score of Community College of Rhode Island and the community college average diversity score of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
30%
30%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Community College of Rhode Island and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
3.31%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,000
$33,000
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Community College of Rhode Island and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of RI by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $3,950 is equal to the state average of $3,950. The in-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,582 is equal to the state average of $10,582. The out-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,950
$3,950
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Community College of Rhode Island and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,582
$10,582
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Community College of Rhode Island and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
97%
93%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Community College of Rhode Island and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,000
$11,000
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Community College of Rhode Island and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Community College of Rhode Island and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in RI by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
36%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • In January, 1960, the Rhode Island Junior College state system was established by an act of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The legislation closely followed the recommendation of a Commission to Study Higher Education, which called for the establishment of a statewide system of junior college campuses with facilities in the Pawtuxet Valley, Blackstone Valley and Mount Hope areas of Rhode Island. The Knight Campus is located on 205 acres adjacent to Routes 95 and 295 in Warwick. All academic facilities at this campus are housed under one roof, a futuristic megastructure which encourages social, educational and cultural exchanges among the entire student body. The design of the megastructure reflects the philosophy of the Community College of Rhode Island, which stresses interaction among students from all fields of study. Athletic facilities are located in a separate field house. Community College of Rhode Island offers programs in academic and vocational-technical areas as well as a full complement of programs and services for full and part-time students, for recent high school graduates and for older, adult learners. Community College of Rhode Island grants the Associate in Arts (A.A.), the Associate in Science (A.S.), the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), the Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies (A.A.S.-T.S.) and the Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) degrees. Several one-year certificates are also awarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Community College of Rhode Island cost?
Community College of Rhode Island's tuition is approximately $3,950 for In-State students and $10,582 for Out-State students.
What schools are Community College of Rhode Island often compared to?
Community College of Rhode Islandis often viewed alongside schools like New England Institute of Technology by visitors of our site.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 13,684 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,950
  • Out-state tuition: $10,582
  • Student:teacher ratio: 15:1
  • Minority enrollment: 35%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Rhode Island public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,950 per year for in-state students and $10,582 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $30,000 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Rhode Island community colleges have a diversity score of 0.60, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Rhode Island is New England Institute of Technology. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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