Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Rhode Island (2026)
14 nursing programs at Rhode Island schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Rhode Island College's RN to BSN at $11,000 total. Online programs from 41 more out-of-state schools also enroll Rhode Island residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Rhode Island tuition
- Tuition at Rhode Island schools and campuses ranges from $11,000 to $209,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Compare tuition and financial aid for Rhode Island nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island CollegeRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $11,000 |
| University of Rhode IslandRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $12,000 |
| New England Institute of TechnologyRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $14,000 |
| Salve Regina UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $15,000 |
| University of Rhode IslandMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $28,000 |
Partner programs in Rhode Island.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
Sponsored · Disclosure
More Rhode Island nursing programs by tuition
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England Institute of TechnologyAssociate Degree in Nursing (ADN)On Campus · 18 months | On Campus | 18 mo | $30,000 |
| Salve Regina UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $32,000 |
| Rhode Island CollegeAccelerated BSN (Second Degree)On Campus · 16 months | On Campus | 16 mo | $40,000 |
| Rhode Island CollegeBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $47,000 |
| Rhode Island CollegeDoctor of Nursing PracticeHybrid · 42 months | Hybrid | 42 mo | $50,000 |
| University of Rhode IslandPhD in NursingOnline · 48 months | Online | 48 mo | $50,000 |
| University of Rhode IslandDoctor of Nursing PracticeOnline · 42 months | Online | 42 mo | $52,000 |
| University of Rhode IslandBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $70,000 |
| Salve Regina UniversityBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $209,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Rhode Island residents
These schools are based outside Rhode Island but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $11,400 |
See all online nursing programs for Rhode Island residents →
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Rhode Island
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Rhode Island is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Rhode Island state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Rhode Island’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Rhode Island Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Rhode Island grants full independent practice to NPs — no physician oversight required, maximizing earning potential for MSN/DNP graduates.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Rhode Island nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Rhode Island often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Rhode Island include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Rhode Island grants nurse practitioners full practice authority: NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing, without a required physician collaboration agreement.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Rhode Island
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a full-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Rhode Island
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Rhode Island.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Rhode Island?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Rhode Island with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Rhode Island as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Rhode Island?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Rhode Island?
Compare nursing programs in Rhode Island
- All nursing programs in Rhode Island
- Online nursing programs in Rhode IslandPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in Rhode IslandPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in Rhode IslandSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Rhode Island
- ADN programs in Rhode IslandAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in Rhode IslandFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.