Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Rhode Island

Though Rhode Island is the smallest-sized state, it boasts beautiful sights and coastal views. Known for its historical cities and sandy beaches, this state is not far from such major cities as Boston and New York City, while still being a relaxed, isolated location to unwind and enjoy the sea. Rhode Island is also home to well-renowned hospitals and nursing schools, making it an enticing destination for students looking for professional development in a charming place.

Finding the right path in nursing can be a task, especially if you’re unsure where to start. With the different types of nursing programs, it can be daunting trying to decide which is right for you. Rhode Island, in particular, offers nursing programs in prestigious colleges that can help on your road to success, including online courses, accelerated learning, and bridge programs. Upon graduation, seeking employment in this state is tempting, given their salary ranges.

With this blog post, we hope to aid you in your search for the right school and career path. Our list below details some of the top nursing schools in Rhode Island, and what they can do for your aspirations and goals in healthcare.

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1. University of Rhode Island – Score 73.33

NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.89%

In-state tuition: $15,880

Out-of-State tuition: $34,362

Initially developed in 1863 as part of President Lincoln’s Morrill’s Land Grant Act, the University of Rhode Island (URI) is now considered the flagship public research and land-grant university of the state. The URI College of Nursing ranked number 1 in New England in federal research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Nursing students at URI are often involved in educational and exciting extracurricular events, such as health information booths, conferences, and even their yearly Day of Giving each October. They offer online courses of study for undergraduates in nursing, and 90% of recent URI grads are employed or pursuing graduate studies. The overall graduation rate is 69%.

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

BSN
RN to BS
MSN
PhD
DNP

2. Rhode Island College – Score 66.67

NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.41%

In-state tuition: $4,741

Out-of-State tuition: $12,507

Founded originally in 1854, Rhode Island College was the first public institution of higher education in the state. This university is an 180-acre campus that serves approximately 7,000 students in courses and programs both on- and off-campus. Nearby Providence is known as the “Creative Capital” of New England and offers unique food experiences, historic sites, and rich culture.

The Zvart Onanian School of Nursing uses state-of-the-art technology and simulated clinical experiences to teach its students, along with peer tutor and mentor programs, nursing student clubs, and scholarship opportunities. The overall graduation rate is 54%.

Their CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

BSN
RN to BSN

3. Salve Regina University – Score 60

NCLEX Pass Rate: 79.69%

Annual tuition: $46,000

Salve Regina University in Newport, RI was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1934 and is a Catholic university. This harbor town is known for its historical homes and perfect sailing conditions. The campus itself is right on the water with lovely views. The Salve Regina nursing school offers two plans of study: a pre-licensure track for high school graduates and a degree completion track for students who are already registered nurses.

98% of Regina Salve graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees within 6 months of Commencement. The overall graduation rate is 70%.

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

BSN
DNP
MS
RN to BS

School	Graduation Rate	In State Annual Tuition	Out of State Annual Tuition	NCLEX Pass Rate	Accreditation	Nursing Programs	Score	Rank
University of Rhode Island	69.00%	$15,880	$34,362	85.89%	Yes	BSN, RN to BS, MSN, PhD, DNP	73.33	1
Rhode Island College	54.00%	$4,741	$12,507	90.41%	Yes	BSN, RN to BSN	66.67	2
Salve Regina University	70.00%	$46,000		79.69%	Yes	BSN, DNP, MS, RN to BS	60	3

How to choose the right nursing program

When deciding on which nursing program is right for you, it’s important to look at all the possible paths and the degree that suits your needs best. Factor in the location, tuition costs, pass rates for exams, programs offered, and graduation rates in order to set yourself up for success.

Location

While Rhode Island may be a small state, it has many charming, historic towns and beautiful seaside views, making it a wonderful place to reside. Finding the right balance of your commute between on-campus learning and off-campus life is key. As a nursing student, you also need to account for any clinicals or labs, and their distance from school. Should you consider some online courses to save on time? Look at all of your options before making a choice.

Tuition

Life as a college student means added responsibility for money and debt. Since student debt can be an issue in the long-run, consider the ways you can afford tuition more easily. Scholarships, grants, and loans through FAFSA can help to ease the burden, so see what you may be eligible for. Once you graduate, there may even be loan forgiveness and loan repayment programs, especially as a healthcare worker.

NCLEX pass rate

The NCLEX exam is a must for anyone hoping to become a registered nurse. Checking out the pass rate for each university is a good measure of their credibility and care for students. Before applying, do your research to ensure that your top choice college is setting up their nursing students for success, especially if they offer exam preparation and study incentives. Take note of high percentages of students passing their NCLEX.

Programs offered

Picking the right university also requires making sure they offer the programs you need for your degree. If you’re pursuing a graduate degree or transferring from another college, it’s especially crucial to guarantee those credits will carry over. Going over their program offerings and course expectations will help to give you an idea of whether or not a school is the right fit for your education needs.

Graduation rate

During your research for universities, be sure to find their graduation rates. This is one way to measure a school’s track record, since it gives information about the percentage of undergraduates who complete their program between 4-6 years of study. High graduation rates demonstrate a university’s quality in their courses and programs, leading to a better chance of employment upon graduation.

Next steps

While it can feel like an undertaking to find the right nursing school for you, there are just a handful of factors to consider, such as the financial aspects, future employment within the state, and what’s most important to you out of earning a nursing degree. These top schools in Rhode Island, along with their statistics, can be a good starting point.

Once you graduate, you’ll want to look toward the future of your nursing career. With Incredible Health, our variety of resources are here to assist on your journey and better kickstart your career, especially for different states and their individual stipulations.

One important aspect of these next steps includes having the correct license requirements for Rhode Island. When you’re coming from out-of-state, this is essential to know and be up-to-date on.

If you’re wondering where you should go after graduation in order to continue your education credits, check out Rhode Island’s free CEU courses. These courses will provide you with the right certifications you need.

Prospective students can also turn to other nurses and professionals who can offer advice, help, and other answers about nursing in Rhode Island.

Once you start looking for a job, let Incredible Health help you. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!