
Roger Williams University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, or NECHE. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is different from accreditation or approval of an individual degree program.
Program-level recognition matters particularly in fields with professional standards. The university's law school is approved by the American Bar Association, and its professional offerings include programs for which applicants should check the applicable architecture, engineering, or other specialized accreditation status by degree. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal financial-aid eligibility and often to how other colleges review transfer credit, but it does not require another institution to accept a course. Likewise, completing a program does not by itself establish eligibility for every state's professional license.
First-year applicants to Roger Williams University generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary-school transcript, and a recommendation. The university reviews the academic record, including grades and college-preparatory coursework; it does not operate as an open-admission institution.
Standardized testing has been treated as optional in admissions reporting: SAT or ACT scores may be considered but are not required for every applicant. Among enrolled first-time students in the reported cohort, 18% submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores. An applicant should follow the current instructions for the chosen entry term and program rather than assume an optional test score will compensate for a missing required transcript or credential.
Applicants educated in another language may need to document English proficiency under the university's current international-admission policy. Requirements can also differ for transfer, graduate, law, and specialized-program applicants. In the reported first-year admissions cycle, 7,042 of 8,029 applicants were admitted - about 88%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's likelihood of admission.
The reported undergraduate application fee for Roger Williams University is $55. Applicants should check the amount displayed in their application before paying, because fees and submission options can change by admission cycle or applicant category.
Students who qualify for an application-fee waiver should use the waiver request available through the application process or ask undergraduate admissions how to document eligibility before submitting payment. A fee waiver reduces the cost of applying; it is not the same as an enrollment deposit or an award of financial aid. Graduate and law applicants should consult their own program's application instructions rather than assume the undergraduate fee applies.
Army ROTC is an available option associated with Roger Williams University, with on-campus participation identified in institutional reporting. Students interested in commissioning should confirm the current training schedule, host-unit arrangements, and course registration process with the university's ROTC contact.
ROTC participation and an ROTC scholarship are separate matters: scholarships have their own eligibility and selection rules, while commissioning generally brings a military service commitment. Applicants should obtain the branch's current terms before making an enrollment decision. Air Force and Navy ROTC participation should not be assumed from the availability of Army ROTC; any proposed cross-enrollment arrangement needs confirmation with the relevant host unit.
Roger Williams University accepts transfer applications for fall and spring entry and generally considers coursework from other accredited colleges. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of particular courses toward a degree are separate decisions.
Transfer applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from each college attended, along with any secondary-school records required under the current policy. Academic standing, completed credits, and the intended major can affect the review. The university reports accepting several other forms of evaluated learning, including CLEP, DSST/DANTES, and credit carrying applicable American Council on Education recommendations; eligibility and the way credits apply still require an individual evaluation.
Before enrolling, ask for a written transfer-credit assessment showing which courses satisfy major, general-education, and elective requirements. That distinction matters most in sequential programs such as engineering or architecture, where a course may transfer as credit without replacing a required studio or prerequisite. Transfer applicants should also verify the minimum number of credits they must complete at Roger Williams University and any program-specific entry requirements.
Roger Williams University offers opportunities to study abroad, including university-connected programming in Florence, Italy, and other international options. Availability, destinations, and the academic calendar vary by program.
Students may encounter semester-length, shorter-term, faculty-led, or approved partner programs. Before committing, they should obtain academic approval for courses abroad and compare the program budget with their ordinary Bristol-campus expenses. Financial aid can sometimes be used for an approved program, but the treatment of institutional scholarships, outside-provider charges, housing, and airfare depends on the arrangement. Architecture and other tightly sequenced majors should plan especially early to avoid delaying required courses.
13% of admitted students enrolled (918 of 7,042)
Regular application deadline
February 1Application fee
$55Early Decision
YesEarly Action
Yes, deadline November 15Percent of students submitting ACT scores
1%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
18%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
RequiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Considered but not requiredAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Considered but not requiredOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, SpringData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.