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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.

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

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.