Kingston, RI · Private University
Is University of Rhode Island Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$69,743
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,408
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$35,804
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$143,216
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.95x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
71.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,899
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Rhode Island graduates earn $24,743 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Rhode Island ranked by graduate earnings
107 graduates
27 graduates
39 graduates
34 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Rhode Island
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Rhode Island, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $98,649) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $31,205) is $67,444/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $98,649 | 2.8x |
| Computer Engineering | $93,398 | 2.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $91,722 | 2.6x |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $83,184 | 2.3x |
| Ocean Engineering | $82,528 | 2.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,506 | 2.3x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $82,317 | 2.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,245 | 2.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,248 | 2.2x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,664 | 2.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $73,616 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,563 | 1.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,411 | 1.9x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $68,044 | 1.9x |
| Marketing | $66,017 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $65,993 | 1.8x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $62,762 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $58,779 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $58,218 | 1.6x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $57,444 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $56,605 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,781 | 1.5x |
| Landscape Architecture | $54,744 | 1.5x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $53,238 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,399 | 1.5x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $52,275 | 1.5x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $51,853 | 1.4x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $51,684 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $50,579 | 1.4x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $50,330 | 1.4x |
| Social Sciences, Other | $50,171 | 1.4x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $49,741 | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,970 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,074 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,386 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $46,464 | 1.3x |
| History | $44,425 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,937 | 1.2x |
| Health-Related Knowledge and Skills | $43,822 | 1.2x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $43,502 | 1.2x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $38,884 | 1.1x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $38,745 | 1.1x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $37,783 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $37,535 | 1.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $36,980 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,883 | 1.0x |
| Journalism | $32,989 | 0.9x |
| Criminology(1yr data) | $31,729 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $31,205 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rhode Island | 1.95x | $69,743 | Good ROI |
| Kean University | 2.72x | $57,237 | Strong ROI |
| Rowan University | 2.35x | $59,988 | Strong ROI |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | 1.71x | $66,479 | Good ROI |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | 1.83x | $64,874 | Good ROI |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 2.72x | $61,258 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Rhode Island offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $69,743 10 years after starting, $24,743 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.