Bryant University (Bryant)

At Bryant University in Rhode Island, learning doesn’t happen in silos. The school brings together business, humanities and social science, and health and behavioral sciences in ways that encourage students to “think dynamically.” That mix of disciplines—paired with plenty of real-world experience—is what many say makes Bryant stand out. “The school truly prepares us for business and leadership,” one student explains, while another notes, “It is very hard to not get a job within six months of graduating.” Part of the reason for this is that the school “excels in its ability to provide hands-on academic experiences.” The first-year Bryant IDEA Program, for example, is “a three-day intensive program that teaches design thinking” to solve real-world problems. Students can also take part in experiences like Walk on Wall Street, semester-long study abroad, or short-term faculty-led study abroad trips tied to academic courses. Overall, students describe an “academic experience…focused on learning rather than getting a grade” and where everyone is “very willing to offer extra help when it is needed,” making it “hard [for a student] to fall through the cracks.” Many of the faculty are “professionals in their industry” who “bring great insight into various industries” and “apply their real-world experience” to the classroom. While some students express mixed feelings about the professors, for the most part, the professors are “super friendly, accessible, and encourage discussion both inside and outside of the classroom.” One student shares, “I feel incredibly supported by my professors and they continuously push me to be my best self.” And for many, the academics, career resources, and industry connections offered by the university pay off. As one student declares, “The ROI for Bryant is one of the best, and I know I will be set up for a successful career after graduation.”

“The Bryant community is very tight knit and helps make you feel at home on campus.” The student body is often described as “motivated, hardworking, kind, fun,” and diverse “in terms of background and occupational interest.” They “offer a wide array of perspectives on the world,” while remaining “one big community.” One undergrad shares, “I have been able to meet some of the best people during my time at Bryant.” Undergrads are “driven to succeed in their careers after college,” and “almost everyone who can is employed in a summer internship.” In general, students are “very involved and very competitive,” but are also supportive of one another and “push each other to be better.” The result is a campus teeming with “different types of leaders who are each striving for their individual goals but are also devoted to maintaining a strong, cohesive student body.” One student adds, “If entrepreneurship was [a] person, it would be a Bryant student.”

On this “very busy” campus, “there’s almost always some event going on where you can get free food, play games, get free stuff, or watch a performance.” Bryant Bulldogs “tend to fill the days with different club meetings, classes, study sessions, spending time with friends, and attending different events on campus.” And there are intramural sports, clubs, and organizations for nearly every interest. Many students are “very involved on campus…[and] have multiple extracurriculars,” which one student says, “have introduced me to a new group of people and exposed me to new ways of thinking.” When the weather is nice, students like to “sit and do homework by the pond.” The student programming board hosts events “almost every weekend, starting on Thursday and going until Sunday, so there is rarely a boring moment.” Off campus, students “enjoy exploring downtown Providence” for its restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. Overall, students find the campus “extremely welcoming” and say that Bryant has the “perfect balance of academics, recreation, and extracurricular activities.”

The Amica Center for Career Education at Bryant University serves as a valuable resource for students as they explore career options, gain meaningful work experience, and prepare to enter the job market. Students consistently cite the “amazing career center” as one of Bryant University’s greatest strengths. The center provides a wide range of services designed to support each student’s unique journey, including personalized career coaching, daily drop-in advising hours, mock interviews, and assistance with résumés and LinkedIn profiles. Students also have access to career assessments through the PathwayU tool, helping them identify strengths and interests. First-year students receive an introduction to career education through the Career Launch Course, which is integrated into the general education curriculum. The Amica Center further supports students with credit internships and “so many great career networking opportunities.” One student says, “The team in the career center does an excellent job helping students find job/internships and prepare for interviews.” Through platforms like Bryant Connect and Handshake, students can easily connect with potential employers and alumni, discover job opportunities, and find internships. The university enhances career readiness by hosting two large career fairs each year, featuring over 100 employers from diverse fields. The MyPath Showcase also plays an important role in guiding students as they make informed academic and career decisions by facilitating connections with faculty and industry experts. “Career-related events both on and off campus are excellent,” says one student. Career services are available to undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni up to five years after graduation. According to Bryant alumni reporting to Payscale.com, the median early-career salary for graduates is $76,800.