At $19,899/yr net price, University of Rhode Island graduates earn $69,743/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $35,743/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,899 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,596 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,743/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$35,743/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,930/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,326/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,578/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,524/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,213/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $113,894 | $49,650 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $109,286 | $33,897 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $73,720 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,693 | $21,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,473 | $26,101 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $67,995 | $19,750 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,332 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $65,557 | $20,500 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $63,997 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,880 | $24,458 |
The Risk Factor
71.0% of students at University of Rhode Island graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Rhode Island gives you a solid return for a public school. Ten-year median earnings clear the median debt load more than three to one, and a 71% graduation rate with 84% retention means most people who start actually finish and land the payoff. This is a reasonable financial bet, not a gamble.
The engineering and computing majors carry the return. Electrical engineering and computer engineering top the earnings list, and electrical engineering pairs its high pay with lower-than-average debt, making it the cleanest deal on campus. Computer and information sciences earns nearly as much while leaving you with the smallest debt of the top five. Nursing lands in the same range with low debt, a strong fit if you want a licensed career path. Computer engineering pays well but carries the heaviest debt of the group, so weigh that trade.
The main risk here is the price jump as your family income rises. If your household earns under $48k, you pay roughly $12,000 a year. Cross into the $75-110k band and your net price nearly doubles, and above $110k you pay the sticker-adjacent full rate. Middle and upper-middle families see the worst value, since the discount thins out fast while earnings stay the same regardless of what you paid.
URI is a good fit for you if you're a Rhode Island resident heading into engineering, computing, or nursing, especially from a lower-income household where the net price stays near $12,000. It's a weaker fit if your family earns over $110k and you plan to study a field outside the high-earning programs listed, since you'll pay full freight without the engineering-level payoff to justify it. Look closely at the specific major before committing at the higher price tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Rhode Island worth the cost?
University of Rhode Island offers decent value with a $19,899 net price and $69,743 median earnings after 10 years. The ROI depends heavily on your major, with pharmacy and nursing graduates earning over $100,000 while other programs may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Rhode Island?
Pharmacy graduates from University of Rhode Island earn a median of $113,894 annually, followed by nursing at $109,286. Engineering and computer programs also perform well, with electrical engineering graduates earning around $72,693.
How much debt do University of Rhode Island graduates have?
University of Rhode Island graduates leave with a median debt of $22,250, which is manageable for high-earning majors like pharmacy and nursing. Students in lower-paying programs may face challenges repaying this debt load.
Does University of Rhode Island have good job placement after graduation?
University of Rhode Island has a 71% graduation rate, which is average for public universities. Career outcomes vary significantly by program, with health sciences and engineering majors seeing strong job placement while liberal arts graduates may face more competition.