Top Nursing Schools in Rhode Island
This page lists 6 schools in Rhode Island that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 3 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 2 associate degree (ADN), 4 bachelor's (BSN), 4 master's and 2 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 3 public, 2 private nonprofit and 1 private for-profit. 5 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level.
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (6)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | Lincoln, RI | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI | Private nonprofit | LPN/LVN, ADN, BSN, MSN-FNP | ACEN |
| Rhode Island College | Providence, RI | Public | BSN, MSN, MSN-CRNA, MSN-Public Health, Grad Cert, Grad Cert-Leadership, DNP-Leadership | CCNE |
| Salve Regina University | Newport, RI | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, PhD-FNP | CCNE |
| University of Rhode Island | Kingston, RI | Public | BSN, MSN, Post-Master's, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
Before you apply in Rhode Island
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Rhode Island. See online coursework and clinical requirements.