Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0The University of Rhode Island is 7.8 miles from Exeter
No college sits inside Exeter’s boundary, but the University of Rhode Island’s campus in Kingston, with 16,621 students on campus, is 7.8 miles from the center of town, and Community College of Rhode Island is 12.5 miles away in Warwick. About 11% of Exeter’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Rhode Island (8%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Exeter. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Exeter
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Exeter
One private college within 9.1 miles, one public college within 7.8 miles, and Community College of Rhode Island 12.5 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Over $110k, where Exeter’s median household income ($111,250) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Exeter: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Exeter
Is Exeter a college town?
No. About 11 of every 100 Exeter residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Rhode Island (8). The nearest campus, the University of Rhode Island, is 7.8 miles away in Kingston.
What colleges are near Exeter?
Within 15 miles: the University of Rhode Island (7.8 miles, 16,621 students on campus), New England Institute of Technology (9.1 miles, 1,751) and Community College of Rhode Island (12.5 miles, 9,996).
What is the closest community college to Exeter, and what does it cost?
Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, 12.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,550 a year for Rhode Island residents; the federal net price, $6,513, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Rhode Island cost if we live in Rhode Island?
Tuition and fees are $16,942 a year in-state and $37,146 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $14,368 (under $30,000 income) to $28,460 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Exeter. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →