Private Nonprofit Bachelor's Strong 77/100

College Unbound

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Providence, Rhode Island

About College Unbound

Thinking about College Unbound, a college in Rhode Island where more students graduate in Interdisciplinary Studies than anything else? The four things worth knowing are what it actually costs after aid, whether you would get in, whether students finish, and what they earn after they do.

College Unbound is a private nonprofit institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Providence, Rhode Island. It enrolls 491 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Every figure on this page is reported by the federal government, not supplied by the college, so it can be compared like for like against anywhere else you are looking.

Acceptance
—
Graduation
—
Net Price
$21,108
Median Earnings (10yr)
—
Enrollment
491
Student : Faculty
7:1

Accreditor New England Commission on Higher Education
Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

These four scores answer one question: compared with similar colleges, is this one worth the money? Each runs 0 to 100 and is judged only against its peer group (4-Year Open / Online), so a community college is never marked down for not being Harvard. Everything is computed from federal data. Nobody can pay to move a score, and a pillar with missing data is left unscored rather than guessed.

Strong
77/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes 71
Value —
Affordability 57
Selectivity —

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

College Unbound does not report an acceptance rate. Schools that do not publish one are usually open-admission, but confirm with the admissions office before you assume it.

Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported

Cost & Financial Aid

Ignore the sticker price. What matters is the net price, which is what a typical family pays here after grants and scholarships come off. At $21,108 a year on average, it sits in line with what private nonprofit colleges charge nationally. Plan for the gap between that and what you can pay without borrowing. Figures are College Scorecard 2023-24.

The average hides a wide spread by household income, so it is worth estimating what a family at your income would actually pay before treating this as the price.

Average Net Price
$21,108
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
69%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
65%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$11,016
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,200
Books & Supplies
$225
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$225
Total Cost of Attendance
$27,138

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

  • Under $30,000
    $20,682
  • $30,001 – $48,000
    $20,586
  • $48,001 – $75,000
    $21,991
  • Over $110,000
    $21,894

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$12,500
Median percentile
Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $5,433, less than completers ($12,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

75% come back after first year. A sizeable share do not return for year two. Worth asking why. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

Completion and earnings carry the most weight in this college's score, and how the UCD Score weighs each measure sets out exactly how they are combined.

6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
75%
Returning for their second year

Who Studies Here

Who you would actually be sitting next to: 491 students, an intimate, close-knit community.

Total Enrolled
491
Part-Time
29%
First-Generation
—

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
Black 35.4% 174
Hispanic 32.4% 159
White 13.7% 67
Other 6.7% 33
Asian 1.2% 6
Black: 35.4% (174 students)Hispanic: 32.4% (159 students)White: 13.7% (67 students)Other: 6.7% (33 students)Asian: 1.2% (6 students)Total491

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at College Unbound. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Midsize City Providence, Rhode Island
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
89% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semester scheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

What You Can Study

College Unbound offers a focused set of programs: 1 distinct programs across 1 major. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

Faculty & Resources

There are 7 students for every instructor here: small classes, and staff who are likely to know your name.

Student : Faculty
7:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$1.6M
Modest endowment

Pros & Cons of College Unbound

No college is right for everyone. Here is where College Unbound is likely to suit you and where it may not, based on the same figures shown above.

Read against a single profile these cut both ways, which is why it helps to put two colleges side by side on the same measures rather than judging one in isolation.

PROS
  • Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
  • Tight-knit, close community feel
  • Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
  • Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
  • Modest first-year retention
  • Most students take on federal loans
  • No graduate programs offered at this institution
  • Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for: Based on the data, College Unbound is a fit for students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about College Unbound

The questions families ask most about College Unbound, answered straight from the federal data rather than from the college's own marketing.

How much does College Unbound cost?
Budget around $21,108 a year. That is the net price, what families typically pay once grants and scholarships come off, not the sticker price. Your own figure depends on household income, so treat this as a midpoint rather than a quote. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is College Unbound known for?
Mostly Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. Those are the fields where it awards the most degrees, which is a better guide to where the teaching strength sits than any reputation ranking. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
Is College Unbound accredited?
Yes. College Unbound is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend College Unbound?
491 students. Small enough that you will recognize faces across campus, and small enough that course choice can be limited. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
Is College Unbound a public or private college?
It is Private Nonprofit. Private nonprofit, so the sticker price is higher but institutional aid is often larger too.
Where is College Unbound located?
College Unbound is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
What programs does College Unbound offer?
1 different programs, most commonly Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. If the subject you want is not among them, check the full list before applying rather than assuming it is offered.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at College Unbound?
7 students per instructor. Low enough that staff are likely to know who you are. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

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