Nursing Education › Rhode Island
Rhode Island Nursing Programs

Top Nursing Schools in
Rhode Island — 2026

Compare the best BSN, MSN, ADN, and RN programs in Rhode Island. Tuition costs, NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and unique program highlights for prospective nursing students.

7 programs listed BSN · MSN · ADN Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education Nurse Licensure Compact member

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Nursing Programs in Rhode Island

BSN · On-Campus
University of Rhode Island
BSN Program — Kingston

URI's College of Nursing is Rhode Island's flagship nursing program, with strong clinical partnerships including Rhode Island Hospital and Lifespan Health.

$14,500/yearAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
92%NCLEX Pass
Rhode Island's #1 Public Nursing Program Visit Program →
BSN · On-Campus
Providence College
BSN Program — Providence

Providence College's nursing program provides a values-based Dominican education. Clinical placements at Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital provide rich acute care experience.

$26,000/yearAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
93%NCLEX Pass
Top Private Nursing School in Rhode Island Visit Program →
BSN · On-Campus
University of Rhode Island
BSN Program — Kingston

Flagship state university BSN with Lifespan and Care New England partnerships

$18,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
92%NCLEX Pass
URI Nursing top-ranked public program in Rhode Island Visit Program →
MSN · On-Campus
Brown University
MSN – NP Program — Providence

Ivy League graduate nursing with Brown Medicine clinical network

$56,000/yrAvg Cost
2 yearsLength
N/ANCLEX Pass
Brown University Nursing elite program in New England Visit Program →
ADN · On-Campus
Community College of Rhode Island
ADN Program — Warwick

Only community college in Rhode Island; statewide clinical network

$7,500 totalAvg Cost
2 yearsLength
88%NCLEX Pass
CCRI ADN primary nursing pipeline for Rhode Island hospitals Visit Program →
BSN · On-Campus
Rhode Island College
BSN – Traditional — Providence

Public liberal arts college BSN with Providence metro clinical placements

$14,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
90%NCLEX Pass
RIC Nursing affordable and respected BSN option in Rhode Island Visit Program →
BSN · On-Campus
Salve Regina University
BSN Program — Newport

Catholic liberal arts university BSN in coastal Newport with Newport Hospital clinicals

$46,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
89%NCLEX Pass
Salve Regina Nursing known for personalized clinical mentorship Visit Program →

About Nursing Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it offers a dense, accessible nursing market anchored by Lifespan — its largest system, including Rhode Island Hospital — and Care New England. Its compact size means most hospitals and schools are within a short commute, and proximity to Boston broadens the regional job market.

Students can pursue affordable ADN programs through the Community College of Rhode Island, BSN degrees at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and private institutions, accelerated second-degree options, and RN-to-BSN bridges plus MSN tracks for advanced practice and leadership.

Licensure is handled by the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. Rhode Island is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN license issued to a Rhode Island resident is a multistate license valid across all compact states — though note that neighboring Massachusetts has not yet implemented the compact.

Licensing authority: Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Rhode Island is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If Rhode Island is your primary state of residence, your RN or LPN license is a multistate license valid across all compact states.
Not on the compact alone. Massachusetts has not yet implemented the compact, so you would need a separate Massachusetts license by endorsement to work there.
Complete an approved ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for licensure through the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education.
Both qualify you for the NCLEX-RN. The Community College of Rhode Island offers an affordable ADN, while a BSN is preferred at larger systems like Lifespan and for advancement.
About two years for an ADN and four for a BSN, with accelerated BSN options finishing in roughly 12 to 18 months for second-degree students.
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