Stats

A Pathway to a Stronger Rhode Island

The 2022-27 Rhode Island Strategic Plan for Postsecondary Education represents a significant commitment to enhancing the state’s educational attainment and economic vitality. The goal is to help more Rhode Islanders attain credentials that will lead to careers with livable wages, stronger families and communities, and a Rhode Island economy boosted by a trained workforce aligned to industry standards.

The plan’s focus on closing equity gaps, increasing affordability, and expanding workforce training opportunities addresses the most pressing challenges in education today. It aims to foster an environment in which all Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to a robust economy. Its success depends on a clear understanding of Rhode Island’s current educational landscape and the strategic implementation of initiatives that are both ambitious and achievable. By setting a clear course of action the plan lays a solid foundation for meaningful change.

Characteristics of the population in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s citizens come from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds. Effectively providing the preparation, access, and resources our students need to achieve their postsecondary goals requires understanding who they are and what challenges they may face.

Sex

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Age

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Race/Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Language Spoken at Home

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Veteran status

Rhode Island’s attainment goal is for 70% of working-age residents to have a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. This goal cannot be accomplished by any single agency or institution. Instead, Rhode Island must establish collective ownership and work together to provide resources and supports to Rhode Islanders as they pursue postsecondary education.

Educational Attainment

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Attainment by Veteran Status

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner strives to implement solutions that will remove barriers to access, participation, and completion of a postsecondary degree or credential. From administering programs such as Rhode Island Reconnect to the management of a portfolio of state-funded scholarships, we are committed to meeting postsecondary attainment goals and helping all Rhode Islanders prosper.

The following section provides fall enrollment trends at Rhode Island public and private institutions of higher education by level, academic year, and race/ethnicity. By hovering over any given data point, the tooltip will display the values of a selection. Click on specific race/ethnic categories to update the chart visualization.

Fall Semester Undergraduate Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity

Public Institutions

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Fall 2019 through Fall 2023, Fall Enrollment survey

Private Institutions

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Fall 2019 through Fall 2023, Fall Enrollment survey

Fall Semester Graduate Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity

Public Institutions

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Fall 2019 through Fall 2023, Fall Enrollment survey

Private Institutions

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Fall 2019 through Fall 2023, Fall Enrollment survey

The following section provides degree-awarded trends at Rhode Island public and private institutions of higher education over time by degree type and race/ethnicity. By hovering over any given data point, the tooltip will display the values of a selection. Click on specific race/ethnic categories to update the chart visualization.