Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

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

The verdict

Bryant University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $164,876 in 4 years versus 4 years at University of Rhode Island, on median earnings of $90,008 vs $69,743 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Rhode IslandBryant University
Net price / yr$21,440$41,219
Total net cost$85,760$164,876
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,743$90,008
Median debt$22,250$26,849
Payback4 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$341,900$668,084

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

Which is cheaper, University of Rhode Island or Bryant University?

University of Rhode Island, at $21,440 a year after aid versus $41,219 — a gap of $19,779 a year, or $79,116 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Rhode Island or Bryant University graduates earn more?

Bryant University graduates report a median $90,008 ten years after entry, $20,265 more than the $69,743 at University of Rhode Island. 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, University of Rhode Island or Bryant University?

University of Rhode Island: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $26,849 at Bryant University, a difference of $4,599. 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 Bryant University, against 73% at University of Rhode Island. 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.

University of Rhode Island vs Bryant University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Rhode Island or Bryant University a better value?
Bryant University. It clears its $164,876 net cost in about 4 years versus 4 years at University of Rhode Island, on median earnings of $90,008 vs $69,743 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Rhode Island or Bryant University?
University of Rhode Island: $21,440/yr net price after aid versus $41,219/yr at Bryant University — a difference of $19,779 a year, or about $79,116 over four years.
Do University of Rhode Island or Bryant University graduates earn more?
Bryant University graduates earn a median $90,008 ten years after entry, versus $69,743 at University of Rhode Island — a $20,265 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.