Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in Rhode Island

Rhode Island College offers the state's most affordable Political Science and Government program at just $10,988 net cost, making it nearly half the price of the University of Rhode Island at $19,899. The nine-school gap between cheapest and most expensive reaches $34,550, with Brown University producing the highest-earning graduates at $53,108 annually. Rhode Island's proximity to major political centers like Boston and Washington DC creates strong internship opportunities for students studying government and policy.

Programs

$10,988 – $45,538

Net Price Range

$40,340

Avg. Program Earnings

72.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Rhode Island College Providence, Rhode Island	$10,988	$10,986	46.2%	87.5%
2	University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island	$19,899	$16,408	71.0%	76.4%
3	Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence, Rhode Island	$21,611	$13,365		67.5%
4	Brown University Providence, Rhode Island	$26,572	$68,230	95.9%	5.1%
5	Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, Rhode Island	$32,478	$40,408	54.9%	83.4%
6	Salve Regina University Newport, Rhode Island	$35,682	$47,930	74.9%	69.5%
7	Roger Williams University Bristol, Rhode Island	$38,123	$42,666	66.6%	91.0%
8	Bryant University Smithfield, Rhode Island	$40,846	$51,169	80.6%	68.8%
9	Providence College Providence, Rhode Island	$45,538	$60,848	87.9%	52.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings difference between Political Science programs in Rhode Island?

Brown University graduates earn $53,108 annually compared to Salve Regina's $24,035, a gap of over $29,000. This reflects Brown's strong alumni networks and placement in high-level government positions and law schools. The 95.90% graduation rate at Brown also suggests better completion rates lead to higher career outcomes.

How do Rhode Island's public universities compare for Political Science affordability?

Rhode Island College costs $10,988 while URI costs $19,899, making RIC about $9,000 cheaper annually. However, URI offers a significantly higher graduation rate at 71% compared to RIC's 46.20%. Both accept most applicants, with RIC at 87.53% and URI at 76.39%.

Does attending an expensive Political Science program guarantee better job prospects?

Not necessarily in Rhode Island's market. Bryant University charges $40,846 but produces graduates earning $50,231, while Providence College costs $45,538 for graduates earning $44,649. The $5,000 price difference doesn't translate to proportional earnings gains between these private options.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.