University of Rhode Island vs Rhode Island College: 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 4.8 years at Rhode Island College, on median earnings of $69,743 vs $56,318 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rhode Island | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,440 | $9,478 |
| Total net cost | $85,760 | $37,912 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,743 | $56,318 |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $341,900 | $121,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Rhode Island or Rhode Island College?
Rhode Island College, at $9,478 a year after aid versus $21,440 — a gap of $11,962 a year, or $47,848 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 Rhode Island College graduates earn more?
University of Rhode Island graduates report a median $69,743 ten years after entry, $13,425 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, University of Rhode Island or Rhode Island College?
Rhode Island College: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,250 at University of Rhode Island, a difference of $1,750. 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 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.