Best online nursing programs in Rhode Island

Reviewed May 22, 2026 by the ScrubScope editorial team.

Rhode Island is a Nurse Licensure Compact member, so an eligible multistate license issued here can carry across the other compact states without re-licensing. The accredited online schools below are open to Rhode Island residents; confirm licensure and clinical-placement eligibility with the state board before enrolling. ScrubScope ranks by fit, not commission, and does not make admissions decisions.

Licensing snapshot

Rhode Island at a glance

Nurse Licensure Compact

Member state

Board of nursing

Official board site

Reported RN salary figureBLS OEWS, May 2025

$101,260

Nurse Licensure Compact member; multistate-license practice privileges apply for eligible nurses.

Salary source: BLS OEWS, May 2025

Cost picture

What you'll pay in Rhode Island

Published tuition for an accredited online program rarely matches what you finally pay: residency-tier pricing, employer tuition assistance, and graduate aid all move the real figure. We list each school's published range on its review, and the shortlist below carries the sourced figures for Rhode Island-eligible programs. Verify current in-state status and fees with the school before deciding on cost.

RN annual mean wage in Rhode Island

$101,260

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Where to study

Accredited online nursing schools

Online coursework is largely location-agnostic — the schools below accept Rhode Island residents alongside students nationwide. The licensing caveat above still applies: graduates sit the NCLEX-RN and seek licensure in Rhode Island, not the school's home state. Each links to a full school review.

Before you enroll

In-state vs out-of-state online study

Accredited online programs are largely location-agnostic for coursework, but clinical placements, licensure by endorsement, and tuition tiers can differ by residency. Verify the current rules with the Rhode Island board of nursing and the school before you commit.

Common questions

Yes. Rhode Island is a Nurse Licensure Compact member. Nurse Licensure Compact member; multistate-license practice privileges apply for eligible nurses.

Yes. The accredited online schools listed above admit Rhode Island residents. Confirm licensure and clinical-placement rules with the state board first.

Keep exploring

Schools to compare next

Walden University reviewCCNE · Fully online Capella University reviewCCNE · Fully online Western Governors University reviewCCNE · Fully online All states

References

Sources

Rhode Island Board of Nursing. Rhode Island Board of Nursing. https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=231
Nurse Licensure Compact member states. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2025. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm

Best online nursing programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island at a glance

What you'll pay in Rhode Island

Accredited online nursing schools

Walden University

Capella University

Western Governors University

Chamberlain University

Frontier Nursing University

Purdue University Global

Baylor University (Louise Herrington School of Nursing)

Texas Christian University (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)

Texas A&M University Health Science Center (College of Nursing)

University of Texas at Arlington (College of Nursing and Health Innovation)

University of Texas at Austin (School of Nursing)

University of Texas at El Paso (School of Nursing)

University of Texas at Tyler (School of Nursing)

Texas Woman's University (College of Nursing)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (School of Nursing)

UTHealth Houston (Cizik School of Nursing)

UT Health San Antonio (School of Nursing)

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (School of Nursing)

Sam Houston State University (School of Nursing)

Stephen F. Austin State University (School of Nursing)

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (School of Nursing)

Prairie View A&M University (College of Nursing)

Lamar University (JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing)

University of the Incarnate Word (Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing)

West Coast University

California State University, Long Beach (School of Nursing)

California State University, Sacramento (School of Nursing)

California State University, Fullerton (School of Nursing)

California State University, Los Angeles (School of Nursing)

California State University, Fresno (School of Nursing)

California State University, Chico (School of Nursing)

California State University, San Marcos (School of Nursing)

California State University, Stanislaus (School of Nursing)

California State University, San Bernardino (School of Nursing)

California State University, Bakersfield (Department of Nursing)

San Diego State University (School of Nursing)

San Jose State University (The Valley Foundation School of Nursing)

Sonoma State University (Department of Nursing)

University of California, Irvine (Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing)

University of California, Los Angeles (School of Nursing)

Azusa Pacific University (School of Nursing)

Loma Linda University (School of Nursing)

Point Loma Nazarene University (School of Nursing)

California Baptist University (College of Nursing)

Biola University (Department of Nursing)

Concordia University Irvine (Townsend Institute and Nursing)

Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles (Department of Nursing)

Samuel Merritt University (College of Nursing)

University of San Francisco (School of Nursing and Health Professions)

University of San Diego (Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science)

University of Florida (College of Nursing)

Florida State University (College of Nursing)

University of Central Florida (College of Nursing)

University of South Florida (College of Nursing)

Florida International University (Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences)

Florida Atlantic University (Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing)

Florida Gulf Coast University (Marieb College of Health and Human Services)

University of North Florida (Brooks College of Health, School of Nursing)

University of West Florida (Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, School of Nursing)

Florida A&M University (School of Nursing)

University of Miami (School of Nursing and Health Studies)

Barry University (College of Nursing and Health Sciences)

Jacksonville University (Keigwin School of Nursing)

University of Tampa (College of Natural and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing)

Florida Southern College (Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences)

Palm Beach Atlantic University (School of Nursing)

St. Thomas University (College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nursing)

Ave Maria University (Nursing Program)

Southeastern University (College of Natural and Health Sciences, Nursing)

Pensacola Christian College (Department of Nursing)

AdventHealth University (Department of Nursing)

Nova Southeastern University (Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing)

Adelphi University (College of Nursing and Public Health)

University of Mount Saint Vincent (Department of Nursing)

D'Youville University (School of Nursing)

Dominican University New York (Division of Nursing)