Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Rhode Island vs Brown University: which has better ROI?

Public, Kingston RI · vs · Private nonprofit, Providence RI

The verdict

Brown University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,736 in 2.2 years versus 4 years at University of Rhode Island, on median earnings of $93,487 vs $69,743 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Rhode IslandBrown University
Net price / yr$21,440$25,184
Total net cost$85,760$100,736
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,743$93,487
Median debt$22,250$11,428
Payback4 yrs2.2 yrs
20-year net return$341,900$801,804

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.