At $35,682/yr net price, Salve Regina University graduates earn $72,975/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $38,975/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,682 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $142,728 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,975/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$38,975/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,575/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,451/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $29,769/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,113/yr |
| $110,001+ | $38,585/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. | Bachelor | $69,477 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $63,997 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $62,260 | $18,729 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,888 | $18,574 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $48,849 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $48,432 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $46,478 | $31,188 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $45,500 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
74.9% of students at Salve Regina University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Salve Regina University gives you a solid financial return with real gaps between programs. Ten-year median earnings of $72,975 sit comfortably above the $27,000 median debt, and the 74.9% grad rate plus 85.3% retention mean most students finish and pay down what they borrowed. The $35,682 yearly net price is steep for a private school, so which major you pick decides whether that price pays off.
Nursing is the clear winner here. At $69,477, it earns nearly $26,000 more per year than special education and roughly $24,000 more than marketing, while carrying the same $27,000 debt load. Accounting is the other strong bet at $63,997. Newport and the broader Rhode Island and Providence job market support both nursing and accounting well.
The weaker programs are where the risk shows. Special education at $43,426, marketing at $45,500, and economics at $48,432 all leave you carrying $27,000 in debt against starting salaries in the mid-$40,000s. That debt-to-income ratio is tight, and teaching salaries in this region rise slowly.
The net price tiers explain who this school works for. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $27,575 -- about $11,000 less than families over $110k, who pay $38,585. But even the lowest tier stays near $27,500 a year, so there is no deep discount for lower-income families here. Budget for roughly $110,000 across four years at the low end.
Salve Regina fits you if you are heading into nursing or accounting and can manage the price. If you want special education, marketing, or economics, run the debt math carefully or look for a lower-cost school before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salve Regina University worth the cost?
Salve Regina's $35,682 annual net price leads to $72,975 median earnings after 10 years, which is below average for a private university. The nursing programs offer the best return on investment at $69,477, while other majors struggle to justify the high tuition costs.
What are the best paying majors at Salve Regina University?
Nursing programs at Salve Regina provide the highest earnings at $69,477 annually, followed by accounting at $63,997. Criminal justice and business administration majors earn around $62,000, while health administration graduates make significantly less at $52,107.
How much student debt do Salve Regina University graduates have?
Salve Regina graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, this debt burden becomes problematic for majors earning below $55,000 annually, particularly in health administration and some liberal arts fields.
Does Salve Regina University have good job placement rates?
Salve Regina has a 74.9% graduation rate, which is decent but not exceptional for a private university. The nursing program shows strong job placement due to healthcare demand, but outcomes vary significantly across other majors with limited published employment data.