Rhode Island Nursing Schools and Programs

Researching and then applying to accredited nursing schools in Rhode Island can be a time-consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near-term education goals and the Rhode Island licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career in the state of Rhode Island as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse? See our nursing education chart below for some insight into how long it takes to graduate from the most popular CNA, LPN, and RN nursing programs in Rhode Island.

Chart of Rhode Island nursing program lengths and average wages by type: Nursing Assistant (CNA), Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), and Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Rhode Island Registered Nurse (RN) programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN), which typically lasts 2 years, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 4 years.

While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Rhode Island nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and earn an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Rhode Island.

Starting with a shorter CNA or LPN program can also strengthen your ASN or BSN application by showing commitment and clinical readiness. For those pursuing Rhode Island RN licensure directly, associate degree programs are often more accessible than bachelor's programs. Earning your RN through an ASN, then advancing through an RN to BSN program or RN to MSN bridge, is a common and effective path in Rhode Island.

Nursing Schools

List Of Nursing Schools In Rhode Island

Below is our list of accredited nursing schools in Rhode Island. In general, these colleges, universities, and training centers offer campus-based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. RN schools in RI will generally offer an ADN, ASN, or BSN nursing degree. Advanced Practice (APRN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs can be found at larger schools that offer MSN and DNP degrees.

Click the name of any Rhode Island nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database. Use the wishlist buttons provided to save institutions to a private list of nursing schools near you.

Community College of Rhode Island

1762 Louisquissett Pike, Lincoln, RI 02865
401-333-7217

Community College of Rhode Island is a institution with a campus in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN

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Community College of Rhode Island

One John H. Chafee Blvd, Newport, RI 02840
401-851-1600

Community College of Rhode Island is a institution with a campus in Newport, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN

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Community College of Rhode Island

1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI 02905
401-455-6000

Community College of Rhode Island is a institution with a campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN

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Community College of Rhode Island

400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886
401-825-1000

Community College of Rhode Island is a Public institution with a campus in Warwick, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. The Warwick, Rhode Island campus for Community College of Rhode Island is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 12,518. In-state tuition and fees were $5,550 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN

  • Tuition Cost $5,550
  • Acceptance Rate Open
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Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln

622 George Washington Hwy, Lincoln, RI 02865
401-334-2430

Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln is a Private for-profit institution with a campus in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. The Lincoln, Rhode Island campus for Lincoln Technical Institute - Lincoln is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 703. In-state tuition and fees were $31,871 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: LPN

  • Tuition Cost $31,871
  • Acceptance Rate Open
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New England Institute of Technology

One New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, RI 02818
401-739-5000

New England Institute of Technology is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. The East Greenwich, Rhode Island campus for New England Institute of Technology is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,850. In-state tuition and fees were $37,275 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN

  • Tuition Cost $37,275
  • Room and Board $17,284
  • Acceptance Rate 73%
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Rhode Island College

600 Mount Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908
401-456-8000

Rhode Island College is a Public institution with a campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. The Providence, Rhode Island campus for Rhode Island College is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 5,767. In-state tuition and fees were $11,300 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Post-MSN, DNP

  • Tuition Cost $11,300
  • Room and Board $13,414
  • Acceptance Rate 81%
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Salve Regina University

100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
401-847-6650

Salve Regina University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Newport, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. The Newport, Rhode Island campus for Salve Regina University is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,836. In-state tuition and fees were $50,100 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP

  • Tuition Cost $50,100
  • Room and Board $18,550
  • Acceptance Rate 70%
  • ACT Score 26-30
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University of Rhode Island

35 Campus Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881
401-874-1000

University of Rhode Island is a Public institution with a campus in Kingston, Rhode Island. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. The Kingston, Rhode Island campus for University of Rhode Island is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 17,351. In-state tuition and fees were $16,942 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, DNP, PhD

  • Tuition Cost $16,942
  • Room and Board $15,607
  • Acceptance Rate 77%
  • ACT Score 26-31
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How To Become

How do I become a nurse in Rhode Island?

If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Rhode Island, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Rhode Island registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Rhode Island Board of Nursing.

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Rhode Island, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Rhode Island practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Rhode Island Board of Nursing.

How Long It Takes

How long is nursing school in Rhode Island?

The amount of time you spend in a Rhode Island nursing school will vary based on the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Rhode Island Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.

Above on this page, we created a chart that summarizes how long nursing school is in Rhode Island. That chart includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Rhode Island, along with the average wages earned at each education level.

Notice that in the state of Rhode Island, far greater numbers are employed as Registered Nurses (RN) compared to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Rhode Island earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Rhode Island nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.

Tuition Cost

How much does nursing school in Rhode Island cost?

Tuition for a nursing school in Rhode Island will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two-year Associate degree, an ADN, or ASN, for example. The larger public four-year colleges and universities in Rhode Island cost more, between $10,000 to $16,000 per year, for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN).

To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Rhode Island, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two-year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four-year college or university of your choice. Each college has its own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.

Difficulty

Is it hard to get into a Rhode Island nursing school?

We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Rhode Island nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Rhode Island provided above, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 50% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.

If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Rhode Island nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.

Compact State

Is Rhode Island a nursing compact state?

Yes, Rhode Island is part of the nursing license compact. Rhode Island recently enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a Rhode Island Licensed Practical Nurse or a Rhode Island Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.

Nursing Schools

Last updated: February 5, 2026

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