Rhode Island College vs Salve Regina University: which has better ROI?
Rhode Island College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,912 in 4.8 years versus 6 years at Salve Regina University, on median earnings of $56,318 vs $72,975 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rhode Island College | Salve Regina University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,478 | $36,967 |
| Total net cost | $37,912 | $147,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,318 | $72,975 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $121,248 | $344,432 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rhode Island College or Salve Regina University?
Rhode Island College, at $9,478 a year after aid versus $36,967 — a gap of $27,489 a year, or $109,956 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rhode Island College or Salve Regina University graduates earn more?
Salve Regina University graduates report a median $72,975 ten years after entry, $16,657 more than the $56,318 at Rhode Island College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Rhode Island College or Salve Regina University?
Rhode Island College: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Salve Regina University, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Salve Regina University, against 48% at Rhode Island College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.