Founded in 1854, Rhode Island College (RIC) is the first public institution in the state. Celebrating its 169th year, the College is well known for preparing students to pursue bold careers in leading fields including education, social work, business, nursing, and the visual and performing arts.
In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked RIC as one of the top 10 Best Regional Public Universities in New England. and a leader in social mobility.
BOLD Campus
Within the last five years, the College has made over $300 million in infrastructure investments. Across the expansive 180-acre park-like campus in Providence, construction includes an overhaul to Horace Mann Hall, home to the College’s Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, and Craig-Lee Hall, home to the Departments of English, Psychology, Mathematics/Computer Science and History, as well as one of the College’s modern classrooms buildings, uniquely designed to facilitate class discussion and collaboration. Expected to be completed by 2024 is a $38 million renovation of the John Clarke Science Building, including new research laboratories, classrooms and collaborative spaces.
BOLD Students
RIC is a welcoming and diverse community. More than 45 percent of undergraduates identify as first-generation college students, and approximately 40 percent identify as students of color. RIC is also the first institution of higher education in Rhode Island to earn federal Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status. The College’s Unity Center enhances cultural awareness and illustrates RIC’s commitment to promoting a campus climate that is diverse, supportive, welcoming and safe for all.
About 1,000 students live on campus in six co-ed residential halls, all located within the College’s residential village. All residence halls feature social lounges, laundry and kitchen facilities. Students may live in single occupancy, or apartment and suite style rooms. Special accommodations are available for students with disabilities. All of the halls have Resident Assistants (RAs) who hold events throughout the semester and encourage students to get involved. RIC students are allowed to have a car on campus, regardless of their residency, and parking is free.
RIC offers over 80 clubs and organizations as well as 11 fraternities and sororities. Clubs range from major based (like the Marketing Association or the Clay Club) to student interest (Ballroom Dance, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Gamer Club). Students can also join the student-run newspaper (The Anchor) or radio station (WXIN 90.7 FM), and audition for music, theatre and dance productions and the RIC Dance Company.
BOLD Athletics and Intramurals
Rhode Island College Anchormen and Anchorwomen compete in the NCAA Division III Little East Conference in 21 varsity sports. Virtually all of RIC’s varsity athletic programs have challenged for conference, regional and national titles. RIC’s Recreation Center, the home of intramural sports, features a field house, dance studio, interchangeable courts, cardio and weight rooms, and an indoor heated pool.
BOLD Academics
RIC offers 90 undergraduate majors in the fields of education, business, nursing, social work, and the arts and sciences. The student to faculty mentor ratio is 14:1, while the average class size is 18 students, making it easy to connect and develop relationships with faculty. Nearly 90 percent of RIC faculty have terminal degrees in their fields. In addition, Rhode Island College offers qualified students the opportunity to accelerate their learning in their 4+1 Bachelors to Masters programs.
Rhode Island College holds over a dozen academic accreditations including: the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to name a few.
The College also has distinctive Graduate and Doctoral programs. RIC recently launched a new online Bachelor of Professional Studies program, designed for adult students who have completed some college courses but did not finish.
Visit RIC
RIC’s suburban location, rated one of the safest campuses in Rhode Island, is situated between a golf course and a residential neighborhood, and just a few minutes from downtown Providence. Providence offers historic attractions, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment – as well as internship opportunities at businesses, major hospitals, schools, health care facilities, art venues, and more. Students are also provided with free bus passes for Rhode Island Public Transit at RIC’s on-campus transportation center, allowing them easy access to many areas throughout the State.
Check out RIC! Schedule your visit today at ric.edu/visit .