What Is It Known For?
September 24, 1964 marked the opening day for Community College of Rhode Island, establishing it as the state’s only associate degree-granting institution. The mission centers on providing recent high school graduates and returning adults with accessible, affordable education.
More than 15,000 students now attend annually across six locations. Moreover, with over 70 transfer agreements, including seamless pathways to URI and RIC through JAA programs, students can start here and transfer almost anywhere.
Degrees & Certifications
Your options at Community College of Rhode Island include more than 200 degree and certificate programs leading toward university transfer or careers in competitive fields. Completion times range from a few months for certificates to two years for associate degrees.
Study areas include:
- Business Administration
- Criminal Justice
- Health Sciences
- Technical Studies
- Computer Studies & Information Processing, and more.
Class Schedules
At Community College of Rhode Island, credit and noncredit courses run during day and evening hours, happening either on campus or online. That scheduling flexibility helps you fit classes around work and family responsibilities.
Many career-focused programs weave real-world training into coursework. Health programs incorporate internships and clinical experiences where you practice skills in actual medical settings. For more information about externships, contact the school.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The New England Commission of Higher Education accredits Community College of Rhode Island. As one of seven regional accrediting bodies nationwide, NECHE receives recognition from both the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
For program-specific accreditation, the college’s accreditation webpage has them listed out.
Acceptance Rate
The Community College of Rhode Island has a 100% acceptance rate. Its open admissions policy means everyone who applies can pursue higher education at CCRI. What’s more, there are no application fees.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Here are the tuition rates at Community College of Rhode Island:
- Fall/Summer
- In-State Rate: $245.00 per credit
- Regional Rate: $366.00 per credit
- Out-of-State Rate: $728.00 per credit
- Winter
- In-State Rate: $231.00 per credit
- Regional Rate: $346.00 per credit
- Out-of-State Rate: $687.00 per credit
No net price calculator currently exists. Contact the school for complete tuition and fee information specific to your situation.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Administrative Office Technology
- Business Administration
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Services
- Management
- Marketing
Criminal Justice & Law
- Law Enforcement
- Paralegal Studies
Healthcare
- Medical Insurance Billing Specialist
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Practical Nursing
- Radiography
- Respiratory Therapy
- Surgical Technician
- Therapeutic Massage
Professional Services
- Graphic Design
Skilled Trades
- Electrical
- Fire Science
Technology
- Computer Programming
- Networking Technician
- Software Development
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
Campus Locations
Warwick 400 East Ave. Warwick, RI 02886
Lincoln 1762 Louisquisset Pike Lincoln, RI 02865
Providence One Hilton St. Providence, RI 02905
Newport One John H. Chafee Blvd. Newport, RI 02840
Westerly 23 Friendship Street Westerly, RI 02891
Woonsocket 115 Main Street Woonsocket, RI 02895
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Knight Campus – Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is highly valued for its affordability and flexibility as a stepping stone to a four-year degree, offering strong academic programs and dedicated professors in subjects like Nursing and Biology. However, the experience is severely hampered by administrative disorganization, unhelpful staff, and systemic parking issues.
Overall Score: 3.8/5 Stars
Common Praises
Affordability and Value: CCRI is consistently praised for being “cheap” and an overall “great” value, especially with the Rhode Island Promise program offering free tuition for two years to eligible recent high school graduates.
Strong Professors and Education: Many alumni credit specific professors (particularly in the Biology Department and Nursing) with providing an “amazing” and thorough education that prepared them well for their careers.
Flexibility and Convenience: The Knight Campus is the largest of the CCRI campuses and is appreciated for its convenient location and flexible class schedules, making it a good option for part-time and evening students.
Campus Resources: The school is noted for providing a “good education” and offering “full of resources” for student success, including academic materials and handicap accessibility improvements.
Common Criticisms
Dysfunctional Financial Aid and Administration: This is the most significant and severe complaint, with staff consistently criticized for being “unhelpful and rude,” providing the “run around,” and passing students to multiple departments without solving issues. Students also reported financial errors like being “double charged for a class.”
Severe Parking and Infrastructure Issues: Parking at the Knight Campus is frequently called a “nightmare” and “horrible,” with complaints about poor lighting at night in the lot and insufficient space due to reserved spots.
Inconsistent Teaching Quality: While many professors are excellent, others are criticized for being “unprofessional” or “awful,” with some classes relying heavily on self-teaching through online links rather than in-person instruction.
Difficult Enrollment Process: Students noted the admission process was “complicated and difficult” with many unnecessary steps and a general lack of communication from the college’s side.
Momentum
The momentum at CCRI is largely positive regarding accessibility and academic offerings. The Rhode Island Promise program has successfully boosted enrollment and provides a crucial pathway to higher education. The Nursing program remains competitive and a key asset.