At $10,988/yr net price, Rhode Island College graduates earn $56,318/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,318/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,988 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,952 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,318/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,318/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,674/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,507/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,290/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,107/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,800/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,192 | $41,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $71,575 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $65,797 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,610 | $24,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $65,387 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $56,641 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Certificate | $54,748 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $25,152 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $52,941 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $52,607 | $19,041 |
The Risk Factor
46.2% of students at Rhode Island College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Rhode Island College gives you a low-cost degree with a solid but not spectacular payoff. With a net price near $11,000 a year and median debt around $20,500, you can finish here without the loan burden that sinks graduates elsewhere. The catch is the 46% graduation rate: fewer than half of students finish, and if you drop out you carry debt with nothing to show for it.
Your major decides everything here. Computer and Information Sciences and Nursing both clear $65,000 ten years out, and they anchor to the Providence-area healthcare and tech job market where you can work locally after graduating. Nursing carries the highest debt of the top programs at nearly $25,000, but the salary covers it. Finance pays around $52,600 with the lowest debt of the bunch, which makes it one of the cleaner bets on campus. Mathematics sits at the bottom near $49,800, so treat a math degree as a step toward teaching or grad school, not a direct earnings play.
The financial risk is finishing. A 74% retention rate means one in four first-year students doesn't return, and the graduation rate falls off from there. Money spent on years you don't complete is money lost.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay under $8,000 a year. over $110,000, you pay closer to $16,800. The gap is real but the top tier is still cheap compared to private schools.
This school fits you if you're a Rhode Island resident aiming for nursing, computing, or finance and want to graduate with manageable debt. Look elsewhere if you want a major outside those fields or if you're unsure you'll finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rhode Island College worth the cost for the return on investment?
Rhode Island College offers solid value with a low net price of $11,000 annually and graduates earning $56,318 after 10 years. However, the 46% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the highest paying majors at Rhode Island College?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $104,000, followed by Educational Administration at $71,575 and Computer Science at $65,797. Most other programs result in lower earnings that may not justify the investment.
How much student debt do Rhode Island College graduates typically have?
Rhode Island College graduates have a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable compared to the national average. The relatively low debt load helps improve the overall financial return for those who complete their degrees.
Should I attend Rhode Island College if I'm not studying nursing or education?
Rhode Island College's value drops significantly outside of nursing, education, and computer science programs. With below-average graduation rates and modest earnings in other fields, students should carefully consider alternatives for better career prospects.