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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Rhode Island
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Rhode Island? This list ranks 21 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 21 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Rhode Island
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found Community College Of Rhode Island to be the best-value Trade school 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. Median earnings reach $42,659 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Community College Of Rhode Island
Out of the 5 schools in Rhode Island in this year's value ranking, University Of Rhode Island landed the #2 spot. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Out of the 5 schools in Rhode Island in this year's value ranking, Rhode Island College landed the #3 spot. Located in Providence, RI, Rhode Island College is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,318 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,394 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%. Get the full Rhode Island College report
Out of the 5 schools in Rhode Island in this year's value ranking, New England Institute Of Technology landed the #4 spot. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,684. Set against $24,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%. Read more about New England Institute Of Technology
A rank of #5 makes Johnson And Wales University Providence one of the best values in Rhode Island. Set in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,350 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,418 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants. See the full Johnson And Wales University Providence profile
Empire Beauty School Warwick offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. See the full Empire Beauty School Warwick profile
Roger Williams University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Roger Williams University
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island report
Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln landed the #10 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln
College Unbound
College Unbound offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Read more about College Unbound
Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Motoring Technical Training Institute East Providence
Providence College landed the #13 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. More on Providence College
International Yacht Restoration School ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full International Yacht Restoration School profile
Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #15 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. See the full Rhode Island School Of Design profile
Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #16 spot for value in Rhode Island this year. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Online
Bryant University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Bryant University report
Salve Regina University placed #18 among the best-value Trade schools in Rhode Island. Read more about Salve Regina University
Brown University
Brown University placed #19 among the best-value Trade schools in Rhode Island. Read the full report on Brown University
Roger Williams University School Of Law ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Roger Williams University School Of Law profile
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Rhode Island
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 5 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).
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