The identities of those killed or injured have not yet been released by officials.
“This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. It is deeply devastating for all of us,” said Brown University President Christina Paxson in a statement.
Police have released limited information about the male suspect, including an identity or motive. It is not known if he has links to the university.
CCTV footage showed the suspect walking out of the building after the attack but the his face can not be seen.
Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara said the suspect was dressed all in black and may have been wearing a mask. It is not known what type of firearm he used and it has not been recovered.
“We’re utilising every resource possible to find this suspect,” he added, with extra armed police resources drafted into to search the area.
The shooting happened at the Barus and Holley building, part of Brown University’s engineering school. The attack happened in a large classroom on the first floor.
An economics professor told local public media outlet Ocean State Radio, external that the shooting took place during a review session for her course, which was led by her teaching assistant.
“He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something – he couldn’t remember what he yelled – and started shooting,” Rachel Friedberg said.
“Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot,” she added.
Officials cleared the building on Saturday afternoon but found neither the suspect nor a weapon.