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Roger Williams University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Bristol, RI · 3,946 students

The verdict

Roger Williams University charges a net price of $37,999/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $151,996. Graduates earn a median $70,266 ten years after entry, $21,906/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.9 years — a 20-year net return of $286,124, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Roger Williams University's 6.9-year payback ranks #610 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 52% of them, and #7 of 14 in Rhode Island.

Better ROI than 52% of US colleges#610 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$37,999
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$70,266
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.9 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
88%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Roger Williams University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$37,999/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$151,996our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$70,266Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$21,906/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$26,940Scorecard, 2026
Payback6.9 yrsour math
20-year net return$286,124our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Roger Williams University's own numbers. Net price $37,999 × 4 years = $151,996 total. Median earnings $70,266 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $21,906 a year of premium. $151,996 ÷ $21,906 = 6.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $286,124. 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 Roger Williams University students graduate with?

A median $26,940 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $70,266 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Roger Williams University students graduate?

69% finish their degree — 31% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $151,996 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $220,284 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Roger Williams University expensive compared with other Rhode Island colleges?

Its $37,999 net price runs $8,697 above the $29,303 median across the 14 Rhode Island colleges we profile, or $34,786 more across the full degree.

Roger Williams University: frequently asked questions

Is Roger Williams University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Roger Williams University charges $37,999/yr after aid ($151,996 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $70,266 ten years out — $21,906/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 6.9 years and returns $286,124 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Roger Williams University degree take to pay off?
About 6.9 years. We divide the $151,996 four-year net cost by the $21,906/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Roger Williams University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $37,999/yr — about $151,996 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Roger Williams University compare to other Rhode Island colleges?
It ranks #7 of 14 Rhode Island colleges we track by payback. Its $70,266 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $37,999 net price is above the national median of $16,902.