Nursing in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 7 nursing schools running 9 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 85.4%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $100,640; nurse practitioners, $135,970. Rhode Island is a compact state, so a license here can be a multistate license. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in Rhode Island
9 of Rhode Island’s 9 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 86.4% — 0.1 points below the 86.5% national average. Practical nursing programs averaged 91.7%.
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. Ties go to the program with more nursing graduates. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- Johnson & WalesRegistered Nurse100%
- University of Rhode IslandRegistered Nurse86.8%
- Rhode Island CollegeRegistered Nurse86.1%
- CcriRegistered Nurse84.8%
- New England Institute of TechnologyRegistered Nurse82.1%
What Nurses Earn in Rhode Island
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in Rhode Island is $3,090 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $3,670 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| Rhode Island | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $100,640 | $135,970 |
| Median hourly | $48.39 | $65.37 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $77,410 | $111,420 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $129,840 | $176,410 |
| Employed in state | 10,090 | 1,180 |
Licensing in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a Nurse Licensure Compact state (implemented January 8, 2024). A nurse whose primary residence is Rhode Island can hold one multistate license and practice in every other compact state without applying for another license.
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the Rhode Island board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: Live page accessed 07/13/2026; pass rates calendar year 2025 (data collected Jan 1 - Dec 31).
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has 7 nursing schools running 9 board-approved programs — 6 RN programs and 3 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in Rhode Island?
The median Rhode Island RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 85.4%, and the average across programs was 86.4% — 0.1 points below the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in Rhode Island?
Registered nurses in Rhode Island earn a median of $100,640 a year ($48.39 an hour), $3,090 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $135,970 (BLS, May 2025).
Is Rhode Island a compact nursing state?
Rhode Island is a Nurse Licensure Compact state (implemented January 8, 2024). A nurse whose primary residence is Rhode Island can hold one multistate license and practice in every other compact state without applying for another license. Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
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