At $27,692/yr net price, Rivier University graduates earn $52,248/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,248/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,692 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,768 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,248/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,248/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,956 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,807/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,704/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,462/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,788/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,562/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 | $99,817 | $39,441 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,787 | $26,200 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $61,516 | $23,557 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $59,417 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $26,147 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $41,937 | |
| Education, Other. | Master | $41,565 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $38,721 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $37,208 | $40,440 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $36,141 |
The Risk Factor
58.7% of students at Rivier University 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
Rivier University's financial return leans heavily on one program: nursing. If you graduate as a registered nurse, you earn about $66,800 ten years out, comfortably above the school's $52,248 median. That single degree carries the rest of the school. Everything else is where the math gets shaky.
Business Administration lands around $43,400, below the school-wide median. Biology, teacher education, and psychology all sit in the low $30,000s. That's a problem because your debt doesn't shrink to match. Whether you become a nurse or a psychology major, you leave owing roughly $26,000. A nurse pays that off with a strong salary. A psychology grad earning $33,000 is carrying the same loan against half the income.
New Hampshire's healthcare demand makes nursing the clear winner here. If nursing is your plan and you finish, Rivier pays off. The risk is the 58.7% graduation rate. Four in ten students don't finish in the expected window, and if you take on debt without the degree, you get the loan without the earning power to service it.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000, you pay about $16,800. between $75,000 and $110,000, you pay nearly $32,800. Middle-income families actually pay more here than the highest earners, so run your own numbers before assuming aid scales with need.
Rivier is a good financial fit if you're committed to nursing and can keep debt near the school median. If you're drawn to psychology, biology, or teaching, those salaries don't justify $27,700 a year in net price at a private school. A cheaper public option for those majors would leave you with the same career and far less debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rivier University worth the cost for the ROI?
Rivier University graduates earn a median of $52,248 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for the $27,692 annual net price. The nursing programs offer much better returns, with some graduates earning nearly $100,000, but other programs struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Rivier University?
Nursing programs at Rivier University provide the strongest ROI, with advanced nursing graduates earning up to $99,817 annually. Business programs show mixed results, ranging from $43,426 to $59,417 in median earnings.
How much debt do Rivier University students typically graduate with?
Rivier University graduates carry a median debt of $26,956, which is manageable for nursing graduates but creates payment challenges for those in lower-earning programs. The 58.7% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree.
Should I attend Rivier University if I'm not majoring in nursing?
Non-nursing programs at Rivier University generally offer poor ROI given the cost and debt burden. With an 84% acceptance rate and below-average earnings outcomes, students should carefully consider more affordable alternatives unless pursuing nursing.