UnisHub University Compass

Roger Williams University (RWU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Roger Williams University

Classes here meet a bay breeze. Roger Williams University is known for blending a liberal-arts core with career-minded study, so students move between seminars, studios, and labs. Teaching leans hands-on, with project work and community partnerships that build writing, problem solving, and presentation chops. It's a practical place that still likes to ask big questions.

The waterfront campus offers light-filled study spots, maker spaces, fitness and wellness resources, plus advising, tutoring, and a career center that connects students to internships across Rhode Island and beyond. Life tilts outdoors think paddling, shoreline cleanups, and sunset meetups alongside clubs, arts, and intramurals. The culture feels friendly and down to earth. And Bristol's harbor town scene adds coffee shops, trails, and festivals, while Providence brings creative energy and professional access.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, Rhode Island, 02809, USA
Website
rwu.edu
Unit ID
217518

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
NECHE
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a large suburb (outside principal city, 250,000+ population)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Medium programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$42,666
Tuition $42,336 + Fee $330
Out-of-State
$42,666
Tuition $42,336 + Fee $330
Student Profile
Total Students 4,344
Undergraduate 3,957
Graduate/Other 387
Male: 2,098 Female: 2,246
Applications
Total Applicants 8,238
Admitted 7,231
Enrolled 1,022
Acceptance: 87.8% Yield: 14.1%
Staff
Total Staff 1,138
Full-time 807
Part-time 331
Full-time: 70.9% Part-time: 29.1%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Roger Williams University (RWU) offers 71 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,095 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (9 programs, 232 graduates), Security & Safety (4 programs, 146 graduates), Architecture (3 programs, 122 graduates), Law (3 programs, 109 graduates) and Psychology (3 programs, 88 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (9 programs, 232 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 65
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0201
Marketing Management 52
Bachelor's
52.1401
Construction Management 49
Bachelor's
52.2001
Financial Planning and Services 38
Bachelor's
52.0804
Accounting 10
Bachelor's
52.0301
International Business and Trade 8
Bachelor's
52.1101
Organizational Leadership 5
Master's
52.0213
Operations Management and Supervision 4
Bachelor's
52.0205
Business and Management Services 1
Bachelor's
52.9999
Security & Safety (4 programs, 146 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminal Justice Administration 122
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
43.0103
Forensic Science and Technology 22
Bachelor's
43.0406
Criminal Justice and Police Science 1
Bachelor's
43.0107
Cyber and Computer Forensics 1
Postbac Cert.
43.0403
Architecture (3 programs, 122 graduates)
Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Architectural and Building Sciences 119
Bachelor's
Master's
04.0902
Urban and Regional Planning 2
Postbac Cert.
04.0301
Architectural History and Criticism 1
Bachelor's
04.0801
Law (3 programs, 109 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Legal Professions and Studies 82
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
22.9999
Legal Assistant and Paralegal 26
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
22.0302
Pre-Law Studies 1
Bachelor's
22.0001
Psychology (3 programs, 88 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 62
Bachelor's
42.0101
Applied Psychology 22
Master's
42.2899
Forensic Psychology 4
Master's
42.2812
Education (7 programs, 58 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 31
Bachelor's
13.1202
Special Education Teaching 9
Master's
13.1001
Multiple Level Teacher Education 8
Bachelor's
13.1206
English Language Arts Teacher Education 4
Bachelor's
13.1305
History Teacher Education 3
Bachelor's
13.1328
Mathematics Teacher Education 2
Bachelor's
13.1311
Educational Leadership and Administration 1
Master's
13.0401
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 56 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography 31
Bachelor's
26.1302
Biology and Biological Sciences 24
Bachelor's
26.0101
Biochemistry 1
Bachelor's
26.0202
Computer & IT (3 programs, 53 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Information Systems Security and Auditing 33
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
11.1003
Computer Science 18
Bachelor's
11.0701
Web and Digital Multimedia Design 2
Bachelor's
11.0801
Engineering (2 programs, 46 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Engineering 45
Bachelor's
14.0101
Civil Engineering 1
Bachelor's
14.0801
Social Sciences (4 programs, 40 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Political Science and Government 20
Bachelor's
45.1001
Social Sciences 11
Associate's
Bachelor's
45.0101
Sociology and Anthropology 5
Bachelor's
45.1301
Economics 4
Bachelor's
45.0601

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Roger Williams University (RWU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Required
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1130 - 1300
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 580 - 660
Median: 620
Math 550 - 640
Median: 600
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
24 - 30
25th-75th percentile
English 23 - 30
Median: 26
Math 22 - 30
Median: 26

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$63,606
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$63,606
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$42,666
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$42,666
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$16,690 (on) / $15,280 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$900
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,350 (on) / $2,920 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,104
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,694
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,694
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

26%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$22,491
Avg. Loan
$13,020
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,237
Additional
Students with Any Grant
1,043
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
751
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
203
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$21,350
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

67%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
79%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$49,055 – $95,351
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$49,055 (25th %) $95,351 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $70,266
Median Salary After 6 Years
$53,845
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$70,266
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
78.9%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
86.2%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$26,940
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 61.6%
Middle 72.8%
High 85.3%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 81.6%
Independent 47.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Roger Williams University (RWU)

How much does it cost to attend Roger Williams University (RWU)?

The annual tuition at Roger Williams University (RWU) is $42,666 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $63,606 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,690 (on) / $15,280 (off) and books and supplies $900.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Roger Williams University offer?

Roger Williams University (RWU) offers 71 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (9 programs)
  • Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (4 programs)
  • Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services (3 programs)
  • Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (3 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Roger Williams University?

Roger Williams University (RWU) has an 87.8% acceptance rate and a 14.1% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 8,238
  • Students admitted: 7,231
  • Students enrolled: 1,022

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Roger Williams University?

Roger Williams University (RWU) provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $22,491 and average loans of $13,020.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,046
  • State/Local grants: $1,789
  • Institutional grants: $21,350
  • Federal loans: $5,237

The university supports 1,043 students with grants and 751 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Roger Williams University graduates?

Roger Williams University (RWU) graduates earn a median salary of $53,845 after 6 years and $70,266 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $49,055 (25th percentile) to $95,351 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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