Rivier University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Rivier University charges a net price of $28,082/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $112,328. Graduates earn a median $52,248 ten years after entry, $3,888/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 28.9 years — a 20-year net return of -$34,568, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Rivier University's 28.9-year payback ranks #1,128 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 12% of them, and #10 of 20 in New Hampshire.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $28,082/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $112,328 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $52,248 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $3,888/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,956 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 28.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$34,568 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Rivier University's own numbers. Net price $28,082 × 4 years = $112,328 total. Median earnings $52,248 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $3,888 a year of premium. $112,328 ÷ $3,888 = 28.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$34,568. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Rivier University students graduate with?
A median $26,956 in federal loans among completers, or 52% of the $52,248 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Rivier University students graduate?
52% finish their degree — 48% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $112,328 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $216,015 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Rivier University expensive compared with other New Hampshire colleges?
Its $28,082 net price runs $9,469 above the $18,614 median across the 20 New Hampshire colleges we profile, or $37,874 more across the full degree.