Rhode Island College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$43,944
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,882/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
441%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Rhode Island College's in-state tuition costs $10,986. One year after graduation, alumni earn $45,172. Five years after graduation, earnings are $46,882, and after ten years, earnings increase to $56,318. The median debt for students is $20,500. Nearly half of the students, 48.3%, receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year earnings. With a median debt of $20,500 and one-year earnings of $45,172, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.45. This indicates that the median debt is about 45% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even timeline, the tuition cost is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the median debt. The break-even point is approximately 0.7 years. This is a rough estimate, and does not include living expenses or interest on the debt.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,986
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,882
Graduation Rate
45%
Receive Financial Aid
48%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $43,944 | $72,650 | 1614% |
| Psychology, General. | $43,944 | $40,576 | 154% |
| Social Work. | $43,944 | $43,109 | 269% |
| Social Work. | $43,944 | $57,134 | 907% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $43,944 | $57,587 | 928% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $43,944 | $52,198 | 683% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $43,944 | $57,671 | 932% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $43,944 | $46,049 | 403% |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $43,944 | $40,661 | 158% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $43,944 | $47,449 | 467% |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | $43,944 | $41,520 | 197% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $43,944 | $62,550 | 1154% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.