In 2000, 78% of Rhode Islanders age 25 and older were high school graduates. Approximately 25.6% had obtained a bachelor's degree or higher.
The total enrollment for fall 1999 in Rhode Island's public schools stood at 156,454. Of these, 111,520 attended schools from kindergarten through grade eight, and 42,934 attended high school. Minority students made up approximately 26% of the total enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools. Total enrollment was estimated at 158,141 in fall 2000 and is expected to drop to 149,000 by fall 2005. Expenditures for public education in 2000/01 were estimated at $1,504,648. Enrollment in nonpublic schools in fall 2001 was 24,738.
As of fall 2000, there were 84,009 students enrolled in college or graduate school. In the same year Rhode Island had 13 degree-granting institutions. Leading institutions include Brown University (1764) in Providence; the University of Rhode Island (1892) in Kingston; and Providence College (1917). The Rhode Island School of Design (1877) is located in Providence. In 1997, minority students comprised 13.6% of total postsecondary enrollment.