Founded in 1956, Roger Williams University. is a Private college. Located in Rhode Island, which is a city setting in Rhode Island, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 4,902 full time undergraduate students, and 291 full time graduate students.
The Roger Williams University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 215 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Roger Williams University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
79%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at RWU are considered Less Selective, with ,30% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 12 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Roger Williams University.
6%
“We”re apathetic”
30%
“We know about current events and vote”
58%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
27%
“Sometimes, but not often”
58%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
9%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
21%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
79%
“I feel extremely safe”
5%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
64%
“We bought the gear”
32%
“We live for the big game”
18%
“It”s not really our thing”
15%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
9%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
55%
“They keep regular office hours”
39%
“They”re always available”
88%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
18%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
48%
“We only party on weekends”
33%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
55%
“There might be people who do”
36%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
9%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
6%
“We”re apathetic”
30%
“We know about current events and vote”
58%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
27%
“Sometimes, but not often”
58%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
9%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
21%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
79%
“I feel extremely safe”
5%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
64%
“We bought the gear”
32%
“We live for the big game”
18%
“It”s not really our thing”
15%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
9%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
55%
“They keep regular office hours”
39%
“They”re always available”
88%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
87 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
60 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
88 Students rated campus food 4.3 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
89 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
89 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
89 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
89 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
89 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.
Roger Williams University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Roger Williams University?
34 Students rated Roger Williams University
Ciara
I wouldn’t have chosen any other school to attend. But, I would recommend a college advisor because some of the financial staff is a bit aggressive when approaching students. The campus is incredibly safe and as a woman, I feel that’s very important. There are also a lot of opportunities for POC and LGBTQ+ folks.
Ryan
I love it here! It is not a big campus but it allows for easy access to classes and dorms, while not being too crowded all of the time. There are huge athletic facilities that are almost always open and clean. I definitely see myself coming here next year to study Forensic Science and Criminal Justice.
natalie
Used to be ok and now everything has gone to shit. Don’t waste your money here unless you’d like to be extremely disappointed in everything. Food used to be good, now it’s absolute garbage. Not shit to do on weekends, dorms are full of black mold, and just about everyone who runs this college only cares about money.
Lisa
Even though Roger Williams is a smaller school, we still have a lot to offer. The first thing I wanna talk about is the location, being on its own peninsula gives its students amazing views of the water as well as sunrises and sunsets. The campus has that authentic campus feel and the vibe is very friendly. My first week I can’t even tell you how many upperclassmen welcomed me and my friends. It is a real priority to make everyone feel included. The classes are on the smaller side so you can have a more personal learning experience with the professor. They always keep regular office hours that are open to not just questions about the homework, but just to talk to someone if you wanted to. Roger Williams is ranked top 5% in the country when it comes to food, and anyone on campus can agree to that. We have numerous meals to choose from, many more than I’ve seen at other campus’s, and the cafeteria workers are all super nice to the students. Overall Roger Williams is an ideal place for anyone looking for that authentic college experience with good education, great location and amazing vibes from everyone on campus.
Kaylee
The best place, my former home. RWU has a variety of things to do and clubs to join. From dance clubs to the campus newspaper to engineering groups to academic fraternities to sports both recreational and varsity, the school rarely had a dull day. Plus, it's right by the ocean and many beaches.
Skyler
Roger Williams University has a small school feel but is truly what you make of it. There is a niche for almost all kinds of people. Those looking to hold political and social justice debates, those here to just go to class when necessary and party when they can, and those here to maximize their education and learning opportunities will all find what they are looking for if they do enough searching. Class size is very small, so students can really take advantage of building strong relationships with professors. Having these connections makes it very easy for a lot of students to find good recommendations for jobs upon graduating. Professors are also generally readily available for questions or concerns out of class time. The school also offers a free tutoring service run by students who excelled in certain classes, which most of the student body takes advantage of for homework and test preparation. Although the academics here are pretty standard for a private university, the honors program could use some rewiring and most honors students find they take little away from the program except using it as a resume builder. On campus housing is nothing special, but typical for any university. The freshmen dorms are usually standard doubles, but in recent years the school has taken in too many new students and has crammed freshmen into triples or quads. Upperclassmen housing is a lot more spacious with apartment style kitchens, but definitely more expensive. Many students decide to move off campus during junior and senior year. The surrounding town has a lot of cheap housing and is generally considered a safe area, with some pretty scenic views right on the ocean. One of the biggest draws to the school is its top rated cafeteria, but the expense of the dining plan certainly speaks to the quality of food. However, the dining hall really does offer just about everything. There is a salad bar, stir fry grill, pasta bar, burrito bar and your basic grilled cheese and hamburger section offered almost every night, with the main grill offering different dishes every week. They do offer vegan and vegetarian options as well, but these choices are definitely much more limited. The sports teams here build strong friendships among each other, but if you are interested in large sporting events, games here are usually pretty quiet. The school tries to advertise for certain games and encourages students to go by offering free apparel, but usually most students would prefer to do other things. The same goes for clubs and extracurricular activities. There are plenty of options to join clubs, but most clubs on campus are under 20 students. Those who are looking for parties may be underwhelmed their first year here as the RAs are extremely strict in underclassmen housing. The transfer rate is pretty high for first year students, as many leave because they struggle to find the social scene they want. However, the party scene does improve as you get to know more people and become an upperclassmen as there are many off campus parties and a large bar scene every Thursday night down town. The university could also certainly work on broadening diversity more as the majority of the student body is middle class and white, but there have been some good conversations regarding inclusivity and expanding diversity programs. There is a lounge, private dorm and private graduation ceremony for the LGBT community which many students take advantage of as well if they wish. Overall, my experience as a student at Roger Williams University was a positive one. I found people who I connected with and formed great relationships with friends and professors. I believe the education and opportunities I received did prepare me for a career in my field, and I find myself today with many contacts still at the school. One of the greatest factors for me was the ability to participate in undergraduate research as early as sophomore year. In terms of social life, my two first years at the school were definitely harder as many students scramble to try and make friends. It is a bit harder to find parties as an underclassmen as well, but junior and senior year were times that I will never forget. Looking back, I am glad I attended this university and would encourage others to apply.
Janessa
I love it here! I am able to be a part of as many clubs and organizations I can handle while also getting an education in legal studies. This school also gives me the opportunity for the Law school. I plan to be an lawyer and I was excited to hear about the three plus three program that allows me to go to law school after my third year here after I take the LSAT (and getting the average score) and graduating with a B.S. in Legal Studies and my JD from the Law school.
Sidney
Roger Williams University is an amazing school. It all starts with the location and it is one of the best. In certain dorms you get to wake up to a water view and even though it is super cold in the winter nothing beats how gorgeous the campus is. The food is delicious, the facilities are always clean, and if you ever have a question about anything someone is always there to help.
Beverly
I will be attending Roger Williams in the fall and just recently went on my freshman orientation. while I was there I might the dean of natural and social sciences, im majoring gin psychology, and some other professors who seemed very welcoming and even gave me their card if I had any questions over the summer. we also got to eat in their cafeteria which was sooo good, even for me a picky eater. counselors asked before hand if anyone had any special requests such has being a vegetarian, gluten free and so on so they could help them find the option. over Roger Williams makes everyone feel welcomed and offers groups and activities fro everyone.
Luke
Awesome location, amazing class size, and vibrant culture! The students here both work hard, and have fun. The extracurricular activities on campus allow students to get away from work and have fun by themselves or with their classmates. When I first visited RWU, I knew there was something special about it, and I was almost completely sold when I walked into the mess hall!
Sophia
I personally love Roger. I can't see myself being anywhere else. The community is great, I felt like I fit right in my first day. Architecture majors are their own family and whenever I had trouble with something all I had to do was find an upperclassmen and they would help me right away. I feel at home and I think that's one of the most important things when looking for a college.
Matthew
Roger Williams university overall is a fantastic school that cares greatly about its students. The facility is especially good at this, they show genuine concern and want us to gain knowledge. The food is also amazing and has been rated in the top five percent in the nation. The dorms are a fine size, the campus is breathtakingly beautiful. Overall an amazing school, although a little pricey.
Alexa
Roger Williams University was the best school I have chosen to attend. With its great diversity and amazing clubs and organizations, this school is a well-rounded one. As a freshman, the food is outstanding at commons and the dorm life is excellent. Also, if any problems with the dorms the Housing department does a great job to help fix the situations if needed.
Alexander
Overall, Roger Williams University is a great school. The professors are nice. They take their time to go over the lecture in detail and they make sure they answer any questions the students have. The classroom environment is great as well. Students are nice to each other and are always interacting with one another. Also, the food here is great!
Elyse
So far, I have already been able to find friends, which was something that I was worried about. As a marine biology major, I was able become a volunteer in the wetlab, so I am already getting hands on experience in the field I want to go into. I also know other freshmen that have already been offered positions on research teams. There are also many club opportunities for lots of different hobbies.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Roger Williams University is 79%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
You need to look at all different schools in all different places. You need to look at colleges in warm places and cold places and you need to look at schools near and far from your home. You also need to look at schools of different sizes small and large.
All of my classmates are welcoming and very nice; everyone is excited to be here, to get to know new people, and to start a new chapter in their lives.
My school is best know for how beautiful it is, it is located right on the mount hope bay. It is known for the students having a lot of work and always in the library. It is also known for going to the bars in providence. The food is amazing.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Roger Williams University is a great environment for everyone that attends. There are groups of friends but all the groups intertwine. Classes are challenging but engage everyone to make sure the class is comfortable with material. Other schools I considered did not seem to have such great qualities.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
It's a nice campus with seemingly a lot of resources that unfortunately don't necessarily lead to challenging classes or interesting opportunities for intellectual growth.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
I would say that the most frustrating thing on school is that the wireless around campus and in the dorms can be kind of slow. But the student body voiced this to the Technology Dept, and now changes are being made to the wireless systems to make them faster and able to support the larger student body that Roger Williams has. The school continues to grow and update itself as its students do, and they listen. Its reassuring to know that they are willing to fix a probem that the students have brought up.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
My group of friends, and how there are 20 of us and we are all so close and miss eachother so much and school when we are home. I also brag about the food which is amazing.
Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?
They used to be. But now it's harder than ever to get in here and they are accepting more minorities and more minorities decide to come here. As far as the "rich" goes, its true for a lot of people, but it's not a sweeping generalization. I'm not rich, and some of my friends aren't rich. But it is common to see BMWs, Hummers, and Audis driving around.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
95% of students attending Roger Williams University receive some sort of financial aid.
15% were awarded federal grants.66%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.