About Community College of Rhode Island
Rhode Island's largest community college serves 11,455 students across multiple campuses in the Ocean State. CCRI has built a reputation as an affordable stepping stone for students transferring to four-year universities or entering the workforce directly. The college operates in Warwick's small-city setting while maintaining strong ties to Rhode Island's manufacturing and healthcare industries. Nearly 98% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community focused on local workforce development.
Students pay an average net price of $5,240 after financial aid, making CCRI one of the most affordable options in New England. About 43% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve working-class families. Graduates earn a median of $42,659 ten years after enrollment, while carrying just $10,920 in debt. The monthly loan payment of $116 represents a manageable burden for most career paths. With a 94.3% employment rate, CCRI delivers strong job placement despite its 25% six-year graduation rate.
Women make up 62% of the student body, and the campus reflects Rhode Island's growing diversity with 29% Hispanic students. The Knights compete in seven NCCAA sports with 107 total athletes. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in career-focused programs.
Students pay an average net price of $5,240 after financial aid, making CCRI one of the most affordable options in New England. About 43% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve working-class families. Graduates earn a median of $42,659 ten years after enrollment, while carrying just $10,920 in debt. The monthly loan payment of $116 represents a manageable burden for most career paths. With a 94.3% employment rate, CCRI delivers strong job placement despite its 25% six-year graduation rate.
Women make up 62% of the student body, and the campus reflects Rhode Island's growing diversity with 29% Hispanic students. The Knights compete in seven NCCAA sports with 107 total athletes. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in career-focused programs.
Academics & Faculty
Community College of Rhode Island serves as the state's primary pathway to higher education and workforce training. The college enrolls 11,455 students across multiple campuses, offering associate degrees and certificate programs in high-demand fields like nursing, allied health, and business. Students work closely with faculty in a 15:1 ratio that enables personalized attention during their academic journey. The 25% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or transfer to four-year institutions before completing their associate degree. CCRI's strength lies in career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment, with graduates earning a median of $42,659 ten years after enrollment.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 25.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,659
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $59,193 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $55,151 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $52,941 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,733 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $39,523 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $33,993 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $33,565 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $32,925 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $32,467 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $32,284 |
Campus Life
Community College of Rhode Island's main campus sits in Warwick, just 10 miles south of Providence. You'll need a good winter coat here - New England winters bring snow and temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from December through March. The college serves 11,455 students across multiple campuses, with most commuting from nearby Rhode Island towns since 97.85% are in-state residents.
Don't expect a traditional college town atmosphere. This is a commuter school where students arrive for classes and often head straight to work or family obligations afterward. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller class sizes than you'd find at most four-year universities. Women make up 61.70% of the student body, and the campus reflects Rhode Island's growing diversity with 28.60% Hispanic students and 11.63% Black students. Weekend social life centers around Providence, not campus - most students live at home and treat college as one part of their busy schedules rather than an all-consuming experience.
Don't expect a traditional college town atmosphere. This is a commuter school where students arrive for classes and often head straight to work or family obligations afterward. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller class sizes than you'd find at most four-year universities. Women make up 61.70% of the student body, and the campus reflects Rhode Island's growing diversity with 28.60% Hispanic students and 11.63% Black students. Weekend social life centers around Providence, not campus - most students live at home and treat college as one part of their busy schedules rather than an all-consuming experience.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1964
Campus Safety (2023)
6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 21°–37°F
- July Avg
- 64°–82°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 47.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 33.8"
Student Demographics
Nearly all students come from Rhode Island, making this the state's primary community college destination for local residents seeking affordable higher education. The student body is predominantly female, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's popular nursing and health sciences programs. The college serves a diverse population with significant Hispanic and Black representation alongside white students. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the institution's role as an accessible pathway for working-class Rhode Islanders. This mix creates a campus where adult learners, recent high school graduates, and career changers study side by side.
- Men
- 38.3%
- Women
- 61.7%
- White
- 46.3%
- Black
- 11.6%
- Hispanic
- 28.6%
- Asian
- 2.7%
- In-State Students
- 97.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 43.0%
Location
Warwick sits in the heart of Rhode Island, just 12 miles south of Providence and 60 miles from Boston. The city of 82,000 residents offers a suburban setting along Narragansett Bay's coastline. Students can access beaches, boating, and waterfront activities within minutes of campus. The greater Providence metropolitan area provides internship and job opportunities across healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. Rhode Island's compact size means students can reach Newport's mansions in 30 minutes or travel to Boston for major city experiences. The Ocean State's coastal character shapes daily life here. Students considering colleges in Rhode Island may also compare Community College of Rhode Island with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Warwick, Rhode Island 02886-1807
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,659
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $51,547
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $28,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 49.8%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $116/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $10,920
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Community College of Rhode Island?
Community colleges typically have open admission policies, and CCRI serves as Rhode Island's primary transfer pathway to four-year universities. With 11,455 students enrolled, the college welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds who want to earn credits at an affordable price.
How much does Community College of Rhode Island cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $5,240, making CCRI one of the most affordable higher education options in Rhode Island. About 43% of students receive financial aid, with low-income families paying around $4,873 per year after grants and aid.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Community College of Rhode Island?
The student-faculty ratio is 15:1, providing reasonable access to instructors in a community college setting. CCRI operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on career preparation and transfer programs to four-year institutions.
What are the employment outcomes for Community College of Rhode Island graduates?
Graduates have a 94.3% employment rate, reflecting the college's emphasis on workforce development and practical skills training. The median earnings after 10 years are $42,659, which is solid for a two-year degree program.
Where is Community College of Rhode Island located and what is the campus like?
The main campus sits in Warwick, a small city setting that serves students throughout Rhode Island. With 97.85% of students coming from in-state, CCRI functions as the local community college for Rhode Islanders seeking accessible higher education close to home.
Does Community College of Rhode Island offer athletic programs?
CCRI fields 7 varsity sports through the NCCAA with 107 total athletes competing as the Knights. The athletic program operates without athletic scholarships, focusing instead on providing recreational and competitive opportunities for students while keeping costs low.
