Saint Anselm College vs Rivier University: which has better ROI?
Saint Anselm College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $139,116 in 5.6 years versus 28.9 years at Rivier University, on median earnings of $73,371 vs $52,248 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Anselm College | Rivier University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,779 | $28,082 |
| Total net cost | $139,116 | $112,328 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,371 | $52,248 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,956 |
| Payback | 5.6 yrs | 28.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $361,104 | -$34,568 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Anselm College or Rivier University?
Rivier University, at $28,082 a year after aid versus $34,779 — a gap of $6,697 a year, or $26,788 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Anselm College or Rivier University graduates earn more?
Saint Anselm College graduates report a median $73,371 ten years after entry, $21,123 more than the $52,248 at Rivier University. 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, Saint Anselm College or Rivier University?
Rivier University: its completers carry a median $26,956 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Anselm College, a difference of $44. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Saint Anselm College, against 52% at Rivier University. 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.