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 delivers mixed financial returns that depend heavily on your major choice. The $72,975 median earnings after 10 years provide a reasonable payback on the $35,682 annual net price, but only if you pick the right program.
Nursing stands out as your best financial bet, generating $69,477 in median earnings with manageable $27,000 debt loads. This makes sense given Rhode Island's strong healthcare job market and nursing shortage. Accounting graduates also see solid returns at $63,997, while criminal justice and business management majors earn in the low $60,000s with lower debt burdens around $18,000.
Your biggest financial risk lies in choosing programs outside these core areas. Health administration graduates earn just $52,107, creating a concerning gap between debt and income potential. Liberal arts programs likely perform even worse, though specific data isn't available.
This school makes financial sense if you're committed to nursing, accounting, or business and can handle the private school price tag. The 75% graduation rate means one in four students never finish, making debt without a degree a real possibility. Skip Salve Regina if you're undecided on major or interested in lower-paying fields where the debt load won't justify the earnings.
The low 15.48% financial aid rate suggests limited need-based help, so expect to pay close to sticker price unless you qualify for merit scholarships. Your best cost strategy involves targeting specific high-ROI programs and completing your degree within four years to minimize total debt accumulation.
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.