Educational Attainment
In Rhode Island, 89.3% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, while 37.4% have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502RI).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 37.4 | 34.3 |
- •Rhode Island is home to Brown, RISD and several other top-ranked colleges packed into a small geographic area.
Schools
Rhode Island operates about 300 public schools serving roughly 136,000 students statewide across its compact school districts.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Public schools | 300 | 550 |
- •Rhode Island's compact geography means most students attend schools within a short commute of home.
Universities
Rhode Island hosts several notable universities, including Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, RISD, Providence College, Bryant University and Johnson & Wales.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 37.4 | 34.3 |
- •Rhode Island packs an unusually high number of respected colleges and universities into one of the nation's smallest states.
Graduation Rates
Rhode Island's high school graduation rate stands at 84%, reflecting steady progress though it still trails several neighboring states.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate (%) | 84 | 87 |
- •Rhode Island's graduation rate has risen steadily over the past decade through statewide reform efforts.
Student Enrollment
Rhode Island's public schools enroll about 136,000 students, taught across roughly 300 schools statewide.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student enrollment (k) | 136 | 900 |
- •Rhode Island's total student enrollment is among the smallest of any state due to its compact size.
Student-Teacher Ratios
Rhode Island maintains a student-teacher ratio of about 12:1, supporting smaller class sizes across its public school system.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 12 | 15 |
- •Rhode Island's student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is better than the national average of roughly 15:1.