Best Community Colleges in Providence: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 22, 2026
Compare Providence community colleges with real tuition, earnings, and program data.
Providence's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.
Why Community College in Providence?
Providence's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path (2 years at CC, 2 at university) can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.
Community Colleges in Providence
Community College of Rhode Island (Warwick)
Tuition: $5,326/year | Enrollment: 11,455 | 6-year earnings: $33,476
Nursing ADN graduates earn $62,973/year.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island (Pawtucket)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 487 | 6-year earnings: $51,037
Paul Mitchell the School-Rhode Island (Cranston)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 170 | 6-year earnings: $23,724
MotoRing Technical Training Institute (East Providence)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 143 | 6-year earnings: $42,100
Empire Beauty School-Warwick (Providence)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 132 | 6-year earnings: $21,743
COLLECTIV Academy-Cranston (Cranston)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 113
IYRS School of Technology & Trades (Newport)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 76 | 6-year earnings: $47,009
Rob Roy Academy - Woonsocket (Woonsocket)
Tuition: N/A/year | 6-year earnings: $14,519
How to Choose
| Priority | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| Lowest tuition | Community College of Rhode Island ($5,326/yr) |
| Best earnings outcome | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island ($51,037 at 6yrs) |
| Nursing | Check which schools offer ADN programs with clinical rotations |
| Transfer | Look for schools with articulation agreements to your target university |
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Not sure which path is right? Compare colleges and trade schools near you with real salary data.
Try the Calculator →Transfer Pathways
Check with your target university for specific transfer agreements. Most Rhode Island public universities accept credits from in-state community colleges through statewide articulation agreements. Complete your general education core at a CC and transfer as a junior to save significantly on your bachelor's degree.
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often exceeds full CC tuition
- Rhode Island state grants — check your state's financial aid office for resident programs
- Institutional scholarships — many CCs offer merit and need-based scholarships
- Workforce development grants — available for high-demand programs like nursing and skilled trades
Next Steps
Compare Providence community colleges on GradeToGrad — see tuition, programs, and transfer rates.