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The 12 Largest Schools In Rhode Island Are Massive

Sunset at Castle Hill Lighthouse on Newport, Rhode Island 1

The 12 Largest Schools In Rhode Island Are Massive

Living in Rhode Island, also known as the Ocean State, certainly has its perks. From the natural beauty to the low crime rate, there are many benefits to living in Rhode Island, not to mention the top-quality education. Even though Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country, it still has a number of larger schools. The largest schools in Rhode Island also have numerous resources, student activities, and challenging academic programs.

If you’re looking for some of the highest quality schools in the state, check out Rhode Island’s largest schools.

University students
Large universities like the University of Rhode Island often have diverse communities and many student organizations.

©Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com

University of Rhode Island

45 Upper College Rd, Kingston, RI 02881

The University of Rhode Island is a public research university with 17,511 students. This university has a diverse student body and an active community on campus. With over 90 undergraduate majors and 86 master’s and doctoral programs, they welcome students from all walks of life.

The University of Rhode Island also offers affordable tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students. Their tuition is the most affordable out-of-state tuition in New England and the second most affordable in-state tuition. In the 2021 school year, they received 25,105 student applications.

Community College of Rhode Island

400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886

The Community College of Rhode Island is a public college with 11,962 students. Community colleges like the Community College of Rhode Island provide valuable opportunities for students. With four different campuses across the state, the Community College of Rhode Island gives students access to affordable higher education.

The Community College of Rhode Island is the largest two-year degree-granting college in the New England area. They offer over 90 degree and certificate programs and 7 academic and career paths. Regarding student life, they have 28 clubs students can join to connect with their community.

Brown University

69 Brown Street. Providence, RI 02912

Brown University is a private, Ivy League university with 10,696 students. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University was founded in 1764. Throughout the history of the university, they have strived to uphold their mission of cultivating knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry.

Each year, Brown University offers over 2,000 undergraduate courses. Students can choose from over 80 undergraduate concentrations, 31 master’s programs, and 50 doctoral programs. One of the benefits of attending Brown University is also small class sizes, with the average student-to-teacher ratio being 6:1.

Brown University in the News!

Brown University is one of the Ivy League and for good reason. Their medical and scientific advancements have been making headlines at the time of writing. Take a look at what Brown University has been up to in the summer of 2023

LGBTQ+ student self-identification has doubled at Brown since 2010, according to Herald polling data (June 24th, 2023)

New part-time option to diversify, and strengthen Brown’s urban education policy master’s program (July 25th, 2023)

Similar to humans, elephants vary what they eat for dinner according to a new study at Brown (July 5th, 2023)

Rhode Island College

600 Mt Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908

Rhode Island College is a public college in Providence with 4,671 students. After Brown University, it’s the second-oldest higher education institution in the state. They offer over 90 concentrations for undergraduate degrees and 25 master’s degrees.

At Rhode Island College, students can pursue a wide range of academic programs. Additionally, students are encouraged to join a diverse group of student organizations. The Student Success Staff at Rhode Island College aims to help students find balance between their personal lives and schoolwork.

Cranston High School West

80 Metropolitan Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

Cranston High School West is a public high school with 1,629 students. The vision of this school is to create an exemplary learning community that leads students to become productive and respectful citizens. They accomplish this through their core values such as responsibility, engagement, success, and character.

Cranston High School West ranked in the top 10 best high schools for athletes in the state. They offer a wide range of athletic teams for students to join including cross country, basketball, field hockey, and football.

Woonsocket High School

777 Cass Ave, Woonsocket, RI 02895

Woonsocket High School is a public school in Woonsocket that serves 1,591 students. This high school ranked as the 3rd most diverse public high school in Rhode Island. Woonsocket High School is also the only public high school in the city.

Students at Woonsocket High can participate in a variety of sports including basketball, football, ice hockey, and wrestling. For 9th grade students, they offer a Freshman Academy where students can build a sense of community and prepare for their first year of high school. 

Happy college student writing equation on white board in class. Satisfied young girl solving math problem on whiteboard with classmates in background watching her. Proud high school student writing.
At Cranston High School East, students are encouraged to actively participate in the learning process.

©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

Cranston High School East

899 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910

Cranston High School East is a public high school in Cranston with 1,568 students. This high school ranked as the most diverse public high school in Rhode Island. The core values of Cranston High School East include balance, order, and leadership.

The educational model at Cranston High School East is built upon several beliefs, including the idea that all students are active learners. The staff aims to deliver a quality curriculum to help students learn communication skills and critical thinking skills.

La Salle Academy

612 Academy Ave, Providence, RI 02908

La Salle Academy is a private, Catholic school serving 1,544 students in Providence. This private school accepts students in 6-12 grade and the annual tuition is $14,800. Their mission is to educate students from diverse backgrounds with faith, service, and community.

La Salle Academy has a strong student community. To help students connect with each other and develop leadership skills, they offer 50 extracurricular activities and clubs. The academic program at La Salle Academy is focused on college prep and technological skills.

East Providence High School

2000 Pawtucket Ave, East Providence, RI 02914

East Providence High School is a public school in Providence with a student population of 1,526. The mission of this public school is to provide students with meaningful learning experiences to prepare them for college and beyond.

At East Providence High School, they’ve had a tradition of excellence for over a hundred years. They help each student reach their full potential through challenging academic programs and diverse student activities and athletic teams.

North Kingstown Senior High School

150 Fairway Dr, North Kingstown, RI 02852

North Kingstown Senior High School is a public high school in Kingstown with 1,480 students. Their mission is to help students become intellectually active adults and reach individual excellence.

There are numerous academic programs at North Kingstown Senior High School such as the Academy of Business and Finance, Academy of Engineering and Robotics, or the Academy of Music Education and Performance.

Cumberland High School

2600 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI 02864

Cumberland High School is a public school in Cumberland that serves 1,440 students. Their goal is to create a culture where students are respectful, responsible, and ready to succeed. Students are expected to be an active part of the learning process and the educational model at Cumberland includes teaching 21st century skills. 

At Cumberland High School, their learner expectations create a positive learning environment for students. They also encourage students to be an active part of the school community through the athletic teams or student clubs.

Coventry High School

40 Reservoir Rd., Coventry RI 02816

Coventry High School is a public school in Coventry with 1,434 students. For best public high school teachers in the state of Rhode Island, Coventry High School ranked #12.

Students at Coventry High School choose from college prep, honors, or Advanced Placement classes. Additionally, students can participate in co-curricular activities such as a sports team or the Coventry High music program. The extensive music program includes courses such as jazz band, concert chorus, and marching band.  

Takeaway

Despite the small size of Rhode Island, it has a lot to offer its residents. From delicious food to ocean views, there are plenty of amenities for comfortable living in Rhode Island.


Some of the largest schools in Rhode Island may not be as large as other states, but they provide students with challenging academic programs and diverse clubs, sports, and activities. If you’re considering a new school in the area or looking for a university, consider one of the largest schools in Rhode Island.

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