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2026 Best Trade Schools in Rhode Island
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Rhode Island? This list ranks 21 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 21 Trade Degree Schools in Rhode Island
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found New England Institute Of Technology to be the best Trade school in Rhode Island. Located in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,275. Typical Trade student debt is $24,586. Read more about New England Institute Of Technology
The strong Trade programs at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #2 place in Rhode Island. Set in Warwick, RI, Community College Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. The median Trade program debt is $13,940. Read more about Community College Of Rhode Island
The strong Trade programs at Johnson And Wales University Providence earned it the #3 place in Rhode Island. Set in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,350 in student loans. See the full Johnson And Wales University Providence profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the top choices in Rhode Island. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $23,432. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
You'll be in good company at Rhode Island College, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Providence, RI, Rhode Island College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Get the full Rhode Island College report
Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence landed the #6 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read more about Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence
Johnson And Wales University Online placed #7 among Trade schools in Rhode Island. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Online
Brown University landed the #8 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read the full report on Brown University
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln landed the #9 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln
Bryant University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Get the full Bryant University report
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island placed #11 among Trade schools in Rhode Island. Read the full report on New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island placed #12 among Trade schools in Rhode Island. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island report
Roger Williams University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Read the full report on Roger Williams University
Providence College placed #14 among Trade schools in Rhode Island. More on Providence College
Salve Regina University landed the #15 spot in Rhode Island this year. Read more about Salve Regina University
Rhode Island School Of Design placed #16 among Trade schools in Rhode Island. See the full Rhode Island School Of Design profile
Empire Beauty School Warwick ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full Empire Beauty School Warwick profile
Roger Williams University School Of Law placed #18 among Trade schools in Rhode Island. See the full Roger Williams University School Of Law profile
International Yacht Restoration School came in at #19 in this year's ranking. See the full International Yacht Restoration School profile
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Read more about Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston
College Unbound
College Unbound did well this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about College Unbound
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).