University of Rhode Island vs Community College of Rhode Island: which has better ROI?
University of Rhode Island has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,760 in 4 years versus not at all at Community College of Rhode Island, on median earnings of $69,743 vs $42,659 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rhode Island | Community College of Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,440 | $6,513 |
| Total net cost | $85,760 | $13,026 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,743 | $42,659 |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $10,920 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $341,900 | -$127,046 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Rhode Island or Community College of Rhode Island?
Community College of Rhode Island, at $6,513 a year after aid versus $21,440 — a gap of $14,927 a year, or $72,734 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 Community College of Rhode Island graduates earn more?
University of Rhode Island graduates report a median $69,743 ten years after entry, $27,084 more than the $42,659 at Community College 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 Community College of Rhode Island?
Community College of Rhode Island: its completers carry a median $10,920 in federal loans versus $22,250 at University of Rhode Island, a difference of $11,330. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at University of Rhode Island, against 26% at Community College 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.