What is AICU Rhode Island

The Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island) is an alliance representing the eight independent institutions of higher learning within the State of Rhode Island. Designed to address common interests and concerns of independent colleges and universities within the state, the Association serves as the collective and unified voice of its member institutions.

Our member institutions include Brown University, Bryant University, Johnson & Wales University, New England Institute of Technology, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams University, and Salve Regina University.

AICU Rhode Island represents its membership on the national level through the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and is one of 39 state associations nationwide working to strengthen and address the needs of independent higher education through advocacy and public policy.

Our Members

The State of Education

Supporting our Students

Amount awarded to first-time, first-year undergraduate students through institutional grants

Degrees Per Capita

Rhode Island has the biggest amount of Bachelor’s degrees awarded per capita in the United States, second only to the District of Columbia

0.86 per 100 People

#1 District of Columbia: 1.714 per 100 people
#2 Rhode Island: 0.86 per 100 people

Other New England States:
#5 Vermont: 0.746 per 100 people
#6 Massachusetts: 0.712 per 100 people
#12 New Hampshire: 0.604 per 100 people
#25 Connecticut: 0.48 per 100 people
#30 Maine: 0.458 per 100 people

Smart Investment

Individuals with an Associates degree or higher earn nearly 50% more than those who have little to no college education

Supporting Minority Students

Percentage of students in the graduating class that are minority/non-white in Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education
2-year public

26%

4-year public

28%

4-year Independent

45%

Degrees Awarded Annually

Total degrees awarded annually by Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education

International Students

International students attending Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education
Increase between 2014 and 2015 in the number of international students in the state

Featured News

Welcome and Congratulations to Ryan Foster!

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island warmly welcomes Ryan Foster as the new Interim Communications, Policy, and Member Relations Assistant. The membership looks forward to his contributions to the Association’s efforts. Prior to working at AICU Rhode Island, Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and history from Suffolk University after spending a semester studying in Madrid, Spain. Born and raised in Rhode Island and a graduate of an independent institution of higher education, Ryan is passionate about the role our sector plays in his home state and looks forward to the work ahead.

AICU Rhode Island Welcomes Delta Dental of Rhode Island as our Newest Community Partner

Delta Dental of Rhode Island is the state’s leading dental insurer for more than 60 years. Based in Providence, they administer dental benefits for nearly 660,000 members, and boast a 92% customer satisfaction rating, with 92% also satisfied with dentist availability. Delta Dental Rhode Island is a part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, a not-for-profit organization that offers dental coverage in all fifty states and serves more than 80 million Americans. Delta Dental provides insurance for every AICU Rhode Island member and we look forward to working with them in this continued partnership.  You can learn more about Delta Dental here.

Increase Student Aid For All Rhode Islanders#Promise4All

Please join us in calling on the General Assembly to increase funding to the Rhode Island Promise 1.0 Scholarship (Promise 1.0). Promise 1.0, created in 2015, is a state aid program aimed at supporting Rhode Islanders attending college in the state. Not only does it provide financial support to full-time students, it also incentivizes talented Rhode Islanders to remain in the state, as well as provide support to the higher education sector. The program is a crucial component of the State’s higher education policy, increasing access to education and supporting the long-term health of the State’s economy. Key Facts: From...

Welcome Crystal Williams

AICU Rhode Island is delighted to welcome Crystal Williams as the new President of Rhode Island School of Design. Williams most recently served as Boston University’s inaugural vice president and associate provost for community and inclusion since 2020. In this role, she provided vision and strategic direction for initiatives that support the development of strong communities and the promotion of diversity, inclusion, and equity on campus. Prior to her work at Boston University, Williams held similar roles at Bates College (2013-17) and Reed College (as a faculty leader from 2000-11 and as Dean from 2011-13). It was at Reed where she began...

Balanced Rock Energy Renews its Community Partnership with AICU Rhode Island

AICU Rhode Island is pleased to announce that Balanced Rock Energy has renewed its community partnership. Balanced Rock Energy provides a holistic approach to energy savings; helping customers buy energy at the best price, reduce consumption, and find rebate programs to develop an energy approach personalized to the customer. Since the partnership began, Balanced Rock has helped the AICU Rhode Island CFOs develop requests for proposals (RFPs) for remote net metering agreements, and works directly with a number of institutions to assist with energy purchasing. For more information, please click here.

Latest News

Roger Williams University President Ioannis Miaoulis Announces Retirement

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Welcome & Congratulations to Johnson & Wales President Joseph Greene

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2020’s Newman Civic Fellow will focus on education equality

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RWU Receives Classification as a Leader in Community Engagement

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