Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in Rhode Island 2025
Brown University
21 cybersecurity graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
New England Institute of Technology
31 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
University of Rhode Island
16 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Rhode Island offers 6+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.Brown University leads with 96% graduation rate
- 3.Rhode Island software developers earn median $103,450 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Providence, Warwick, Cranston
- 5.Cost of living index: 101.4% of US average (above average)
Cybersecurity Education in Rhode Island: Overview
Rhode Island offers 6 accredited cybersecurity programs, producing approximately 108 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, with major employers including Fidelity Investments, CVS Health, Citizens Bank.
With a median software developer salary of $103,450 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 101.4% compared to the US average, Rhode Island offers competitive salaries that offset the higher cost of living.
The top cybersecurity programs in the state are led by Brown University, New England Institute of Technology, University of Rhode Island, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Rhode Island Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown University | Providence, RI | Private | $65,656 | 96% | 73.3 |
| 2 | New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI | Private | $33,225 | — | 51.6 |
| 3 | University of Rhode Island | Kingston, RI | Public | $14,116 | — | 45.3 |
| 4 | Roger Williams University | Bristol, RI | Private | $42,336 | — | 43.5 |
| 5 | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | Private | $39,792 | — | 42.5 |
| 6 | Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | Public | $4,856 | — | 33.4 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in Rhode Island: Side-by-Side
| School | Brown | New England Institute of... | U of Rhode Island | Roger Williams | Johnson & Wales Universit... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $65,656 | $33,225 | $14,116 | $42,336 | $39,792 |
| Graduation Rate | 96% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 21 | 31 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
| Acceptance Rate | 5% | 73% | 77% | 88% | 84% |
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Private | Private |
| Score | 73.3/100 | 51.6/100 | 45.3/100 | 43.5/100 | 42.5/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers 2 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are New England Institute of Technology, Roger Williams University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $72,415 in the Rhode Island market.
A bachelor's in cybersecurity typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs in Rhode Island
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 New England Institute of... | $33,225 | N/A% | 31 | 51.6 |
| #2 Roger Williams | $42,336 | N/A% | 17 | 43.5 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in Rhode Island
For graduate study, Rhode Island offers 5 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University-Providence. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Rhode Island reaching $134,485 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond Rhode Island.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in Rhode Island
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Brown | $65,656 | 96% | 21 | 73.3 |
| #2 U of Rhode Island | $14,116 | N/A% | 16 | 45.3 |
| #3 Johnson & Wales Universit... | $39,792 | N/A% | 13 | 42.5 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in Rhode Island
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in Rhode Island are at Community College of Rhode Island ($4,856/year), University of Rhode Island ($14,116/year), New England Institute of Technology ($33,225/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Rhode Island's competitive tech salaries.
At Community College of Rhode Island, a 4-year degree costs approximately $19,424 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $72,415, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.5 years. See our Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in Rhode Island (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Community College of... | $4,856 | $19,424 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #2 U of Rhode Island | $14,116 | $56,464 | 1.5 years | Public |
| #3 New England Institute of... | $33,225 | $132,900 | 3.6 years | Private |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in Rhode Island
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity programs in Rhode Island, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $65,656 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 21 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 5%
- • Ranking Score: 73.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 21 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 73.3 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (21 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,450), and selectivity (5% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $33,225 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 31 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 73%
- • Ranking Score: 51.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 31 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 51.6 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (31 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,450), and selectivity (73% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,116 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 16 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 45.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 16 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 45.3 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (16 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,450), and selectivity (77% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $42,336 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 17 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 88%
- • Ranking Score: 43.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 17 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 43.5 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (17 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,450), and selectivity (88% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, RI • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $39,792 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 13 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 84%
- • Ranking Score: 42.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 13 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 42.5 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (13 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,450), and selectivity (84% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in Rhode Island with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in Rhode Island with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in Rhode Island with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in Rhode Island with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Providence, Warwick, Cranston
- You're seeking competitive salaries ($103,450 median)
- You want to work at companies like Fidelity Investments or CVS Health
- You prefer Rhode Island's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Rhode Island's 6)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Cybersecurity in Rhode Island FAQ
Based on 6 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Rhode Island-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Rhode Island salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.