At $29,541/yr net price, University of Rio Grande graduates earn $41,478/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,478/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,541 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $118,164 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,478/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,478/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 15.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,495/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,881/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $30,154/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,843/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,973/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 | $68,499 | $28,752 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,928 | $14,125 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,087 | $14,499 |
| 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 |
The Risk Factor
32.2% of students at University of Rio Grande graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return at University of Rio Grande is weak, and the numbers make that plain. You pay close to $30,000 a year, and the typical graduate earns just over $41,000 a decade out. That gap alone should give you pause, but the bigger risk is finishing at all: only about a third of students graduate, and roughly a third don't return after their first year. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry debt with no credential to show for it.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the one program that clearly pays off, with graduates earning near $68,500, though they also leave with the heaviest debt on campus at almost $29,000. Fishing and fisheries and teacher education both land around $30,700, below the school-wide median and barely above what many high school graduates make. Business administration is the worst of the listed programs at roughly $26,000, less than what you paid in a single year of net price.
The net price tiers make this harder to justify. If your family earns under $48,000, you still pay around $26,500 to $26,900 a year. Middle and higher incomes pay more, above $30,000. There is almost no price break for low-income families here, so the cost lands heavily regardless of where you start.
This school makes financial sense if you are set on nursing and confident you'll finish. For that path, the earnings support the cost. For business, teaching, or fisheries, the math doesn't work, and you should compare public alternatives before committing. With a 32% graduation rate, the safest assumption is that you might not finish, so borrow as little as possible until you know you'll stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Rio Grande worth the cost?
University of Rio Grande's $29,541 annual cost produces median earnings of $41,478 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The 32% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.
What programs at University of Rio Grande have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at University of Rio Grande offer the strongest returns, with graduates earning $68,499 to $54,928 annually. Other health-related programs also perform well, while most other majors show weaker earning potential.
How much debt do University of Rio Grande graduates have?
University of Rio Grande graduates carry a median debt of $17,750, which is relatively manageable. However, with low graduation rates and modest earnings for most programs, even this debt level can be challenging to repay.
Should I attend University of Rio Grande for my major?
University of Rio Grande makes financial sense primarily for nursing and health programs that lead to steady, well-paying careers. For other majors, the low graduation rate and modest earnings suggest considering alternatives with better track records.