These Are Rhode Island’s Most Liberal And Most Conservative Colleges

From progressive liberal arts campuses to faith-centered universities, Rhode Island colleges run the full political spectrum.

A new set of 2026 rankings from Niche highlights the most liberal and most conservative schools in the state, based on student surveys.

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The University of Rhode Island in Kingston was ranked the most liberal, while Providence College in Providence topped the list of the most conservative.

Rhode Island College in Providence managed to make both lists, finishing fifth on each.

Methodology

Niche’s rankings are based on self-reported student surveys of political leanings. For both lists, 80 percent of the weight comes from students reporting their personal political preferences, and 20 percent comes from students reporting the leanings of their campus community.

Most Liberal Colleges In Rhode Island (2026)

1. University of Rhode Island — Overall Niche Grade: B
2. Brown University — Overall Niche Grade: A+
3. Roger Williams University — Overall Niche Grade: C+
4. Salve Regina University — Overall Niche Grade: B+
5. Rhode Island College — Overall Niche Grade: B

Most Conservative Colleges In Rhode Island (2026)

1. Providence College — Overall Niche Grade: B+
2. New England Institute of Technology — Overall Niche Grade: C+
3. Johnson & Wales University — Overall Niche Grade: C+
4. Bryant University — Overall Niche Grade: B
5. Rhode Island College — Overall Niche Grade: B

National rankings

Niche also released its 2026 rankings of the most liberal and conservative colleges in America.

Top five most liberal colleges in the U.S.:

1. American University (Washington, D.C.) — Overall Niche Grade: B+
2. University of Vermont (Burlington, VT) — Overall Niche Grade: B+
3. SUNY Purchase College (Purchase, NY) — Overall Niche Grade: C
4. George Washington University (Washington, D.C.) — Overall Niche Grade: A
5. Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH) — Overall Niche Grade: B+

Top five most conservative colleges in the U.S.:

1. Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) — Overall Niche Grade: B+
2. Grove City College (Grove City, PA) — Overall Niche Grade: B-
3. Brigham Young University–Idaho (Rexburg, ID) — Overall Niche Grade: B
4. Colorado Christian University (Lakewood, CO) — Overall Niche Grade: B
5. Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC) — Overall Niche Grade: B

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