Roger Williams University Climbs to No. 27 and Named Among Most Innovative Universities in U.S. News Rankings

RWU also makes lists for Best Value, Best Engineering Program, Best School for Veterans and A-Plus Schools for B Students

By Jill Rodrigues '05
Students work on an experiment.
Roger Williams University was recognized for our outstanding experiential learning programs in the recent U.S. News & World Report annual college rankings, placing RWU at No. 27 in the Best Regional Universities in the North and No. 20 among Most Innovative Schools. Image Credit: James Jones

BRISTOL, R.I. – Roger Williams University advanced 5 spots to No. 27 on U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best Regional Universities in the North list. In the rankings released today, RWU also made the lists for Most Innovative, Best Value, Best Undergraduate Engineering Program, Best School for Veterans, and A-Plus Schools for B Students. 

RWU’s distinctive focus on experiential learning and commitment to student success continue to help the university rise in the annual college rankings. In addition to improvements in student retention and graduation rates, Roger Williams was recognized in the category of outstanding experiential learning programs, including undergraduate research, first year experience, and senior capstone; for our small class sizes and a 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio that enable personal attention in the classroom; and for our significant investment in financial aid, scholarships and grants that total nearly $70 million awarded annually. 

Roger Williams also ranked in the top 12 percent of regional universities in the North, with the No. 20 spot in Most Innovative Schools, for making the most innovations in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities. A No. 31 ranking in the A-Plus Schools for B Students recognized RWU’s commitment to the academic success of every student through significant academic support via our Center for Student Academic Services, a personalized education approach that collaborates with students to develop their unique educational pathway, and our flexible learning opportunities at University College. 

“We are proud to continue climbing in the rankings and are confident that we will keep seeing further improvement in the years ahead,” RWU President Ioannis Miaoulis said. “Over the next few years, we will be harnessing the energy and expertise across our Bristol and Providence campuses to deliver interdisciplinary experiential learning opportunities and deeper engaged work within our communities through a bold strategic plan that will continue to chart our course toward even greater excellence.” 

Another recent ranking by Niche ranked RWU No. 1 for best college food in Rhode Island and 23rd nationally, recognizing the quality and range of dining options, commitment to sustainability and to sourcing food locally. 

The rankings highlight an exciting start to the academic year, as RWU returns to a fully engaged educational and campus life experience while we continue to follow best-in-class Covid-19 safety measures, as well as shaping the university’s future through a wide-ranging suite of vision and actions, implementation of the Equity Action Plan, institutional strategic planning, academic planning and campus master planning. 

image of RWU students collaborating in the Center for Advanced Financial Education (CAFE)
image of RWU's new SECCM Labs building
aerial image of RWU's Bristol campus on Mount Hope Bay
image of the iconic Mount Hope Bridge at night
image of the dock on a beautiful day
image of N RWU professor leading a class of students
image of an RWU professor leading a class of students
image of students and professor collaborating in a lab
image of students and professor collaborating in RWU's wet lab
image of RWU student athletes in a huddle on the court
image of RWU student athletes on the field
image of students in RWU dance program
image of RWU Sailing team members at practice in Mount Hope Bay
image of students in the Upper Commons cafeteria. Niche recently ranked RWU No. 1 for best college food in Rhode Island and 23rd nationally.
image of a student enjoying a lobster dinner in Upper Commons. Niche recently ranked RWU No. 1 for best college food in Rhode Island and 23rd nationally.
image of students gathering in GHH
image of RWU students collaborating in the Center for Advanced Financial Education (CAFE)
image of RWU's new SECCM Labs building
aerial image of RWU's Bristol campus on Mount Hope Bay
image of the iconic Mount Hope Bridge at night
image of the dock on a beautiful day
image of N RWU professor leading a class of students
image of an RWU professor leading a class of students
image of students and professor collaborating in a lab
image of students and professor collaborating in RWU's wet lab
image of RWU student athletes in a huddle on the court
image of RWU student athletes on the field
image of students in RWU dance program
image of RWU Sailing team members at practice in Mount Hope Bay
image of students in the Upper Commons cafeteria. Niche recently ranked RWU No. 1 for best college food in Rhode Island and 23rd nationally.
image of a student enjoying a lobster dinner in Upper Commons. Niche recently ranked RWU No. 1 for best college food in Rhode Island and 23rd nationally.
image of students gathering in GHH

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