University of Rio Grande: $20,560 Tuition

$20,560Tuition

795Students

32%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$41,478Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About University of Rio Grande

The University of Rio Grande sits in rural southeastern Ohio with just 795 students, making it one of the smallest colleges you'll find. This tiny school has built a reputation around giving students individual attention and helping those who might struggle at bigger universities. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name, and the school has a long history of supporting first-generation college students from Appalachian communities.

The financial picture tells a complex story. While tuition runs $20,560, the average net price jumps to $29,541 once you add room, board, and other costs. Graduates earn a median of $41,478 ten years after leaving, which puts them ahead of their monthly loan payments of $188. However, only 32% of students graduate within six years, meaning many leave with debt but no degree. The school does keep debt manageable with a median of $17,750, and 96% of graduates find employment.

Athletics dominate campus life here. With 366 athletes out of 795 total students, nearly half the campus competes in NAIA sports across 20 teams. The RedStorm award over $2.3 million in athletic scholarships, making this a serious option for student-athletes who want to play competitively while getting personal academic attention.

Academics & Faculty

The University of Rio Grande operates as a small private college with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, which means you'll get plenty of individual attention from professors. However, the 32.20% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to finish their degrees, often due to financial challenges or academic preparation gaps. The school is known for its teacher education programs and serves many first-generation college students from rural Ohio and Appalachia. With just 795 students, classes stay small and professors know your name, but the college lacks the research opportunities and advanced facilities you'd find at larger universities. Most programs focus on practical career preparation rather than theoretical study.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 36.1%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 35.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 32.2%
Retention Rate: 64.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $41,478
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$68,499
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$54,928
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$46,087
Educational Administration and Supervision.	Master	$44,356
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$42,682
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$33,281
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management.	Bachelor	$30,771
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Bachelor	$30,771
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$26,353

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Campus Life

Rio Grande sits in southeastern Ohio farmland, about 90 minutes from Columbus and two hours from Cincinnati. With only 795 students, you'll know faces across campus within your first semester. The housing capacity is 515 students, meaning most undergrads live in dorms or campus apartments rather than commuting from home. Ohio winters mean heavy coats and snow boots from December through March, while springs and falls are mild.

The RedStorm compete in 20 NAIA sports with 366 total athletes, so nearly half the student body plays varsity athletics. This creates a sports-focused social scene where games draw good crowds despite the small size. With 80% of students from Ohio, many go home on weekends, especially those from nearby towns. Students who stay often gather in residence halls or attend athletic events. The rural setting means campus is the center of social life rather than off-campus bars or city attractions. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and attendance, creating an accountability structure that helps explain why some students thrive here while others transfer to larger schools.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 515 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

10 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	6	2	0	0
Rape	1	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 23°–41°F
July Avg: 65°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.5"
Annual Snowfall: 13.6"

Student Demographics

University of Rio Grande draws mostly Ohio residents who stay close to home for college, with 80% coming from in-state. The student body of 795 leans female, which fits the school's strong programs in education and health sciences that traditionally attract more women. About one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families from southeastern Ohio's rural communities. Many students are first-generation college attendees from small towns who want a personal college experience without leaving their region. The school has built its reputation by understanding and serving this specific population well.

Men: 40.8%
Women: 59.3%
White: 64.2%
Black: 4.8%
Hispanic: 1.0%
Asian: 0.4%
In-State Students: 80.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 35.9%

Location

Rio Grande sits in southeastern Ohio, about 90 miles southeast of Columbus in Gallia County. The campus serves 795 students in a rural setting where farmland meets rolling hills near the Ohio River valley. This small Appalachian community of roughly 1,000 residents means the university forms the heart of local life. Students get genuine small-town experiences here, with outdoor recreation opportunities in nearby Wayne National Forest and the Ohio River just 20 miles south. The isolation can feel limiting for some, but others appreciate the tight-knit community where professors know your name and campus events draw the whole town. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare University of Rio Grande with similar schools in the region.

Address: Rio Grande, Ohio 45674

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $41,478
Median Earnings (5 years): $51,876
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $30,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 32.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $188/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $17,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student experience like at University of Rio Grande?

With just 795 students and a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, this rural Ohio institution offers an intimate learning environment. The school retains 64% of its first-year students, though many transfer due to the remote location in southeastern Ohio's Appalachian region.

How much does University of Rio Grande cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $29,541 despite tuition of $20,560 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Only 36% of students receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting the school serves primarily middle-class families rather than low-income students.

What are the academic outcomes at University of Rio Grande?

The school struggles with completion rates, graduating only 35% of students in four years and 32% in six years. This private institution focuses on career preparation, with graduates earning a median of $41,478 ten years after enrollment and maintaining a 95.5% employment rate.

Does University of Rio Grande offer strong athletic programs?

The RedStorm compete in NAIA athletics with 20 varsity sports and 366 total athletes. The school invests heavily in athletics with $2.35 million in athletic scholarships, making sports a significant part of campus life for this small rural college.

Where do students live at University of Rio Grande?

Campus housing accommodates 515 students, which covers most of the 795 total enrollment at this rural institution. Room and board costs $10,500, and the remote location in Rio Grande, Ohio means most social life centers around the tight-knit campus community.

Is University of Rio Grande affordable for student loan repayment?

Graduates leave with a median debt of $17,750, resulting in monthly loan payments of $188. However, only 32% successfully repay their loans, reflecting the challenges many face with the relatively modest post-graduation earnings in rural southeastern Ohio.