Private coastal university in Rhode Island offering hands-on learning across eight schools with 4,400+ students.
Roger Williams University operates eight schools offering over 65 accredited undergraduate majors and 70+ minors, plus comprehensive graduate and professional programs. The university is known for unusual degree offerings including one of ~15 marine biology B.S. programs in the US, one of ~7 historic preservation B.S. programs, and the only Juris Doctor available in Rhode Island. Largest majors include business/management/marketing (24%), architecture (10%), security/law enforcement (9%), communication/journalism (8%), psychology (7%), and construction management (6%). The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1 with nearly half of classes having fewer than 20 students.
The 140-acre Bristol campus sits on waterfront property in a safe, coastal environment. Approximately 63% of students live on campus, and 88% attend full-time. The student body is 77% white, 11% Hispanic, 3% African American, 2% Asian American, and 3% multiracial. Campus life includes The Hawks' Herald newspaper, WQRI 88.3 FM radio station, and 20 varsity athletic teams competing in NCAA Division III (except co-ed sailing, which competes at Division I and ranks #6 nationally). The university emphasizes community engagement and social/environmental justice.
RWU offers multiple pathways including first-year, transfer, and international admission. The university considers 100% of students for merit-based scholarships. Admission is rolling and still accepting applications on a space-available basis. The university provides virtual and in-person visit opportunities, including transfer-specific sessions. Graduate, law, and extension school applicants have separate admission processes.
96% of graduates find success within 6 months of graduation. The university is ranked #35 among regional universities in the North by US News & World Report and recognized for its environmental law program. RWU is a space-grant institution with an endowment of $98.7 million (2025). The university emphasizes real-world learning through internships, research opportunities, and experiential education to prepare students for competitive careers.