Founded in 1854, Rhode Island College is located on a 180-acre campus in the city of Providence, Rhode Island. This location combines easy access to the benefits and resources of the metropolitan area with a suburban atmosphere. The school supports a student body of approximately 9,000 students, offering 90 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs across its five colleges: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, the School of Management, the School of Nursing, and the School of Social Work.

Rhode Island College is primarily a commuter school, though its campus houses over 1,000 students in six residence halls. Students have the opportunity to participate in numerous on-campus student activities, clubs, and 19 varsity sports.