Bryant University
Bryant University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bryant University at a Glance
Bryant University is a private university in Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States. It has three colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the College of Business, and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
1863
163 years old
$249M
$249.3 million (2025)
3,751
428 acres
Identity
Is Bryant University Worth It?
Bryant University offers moderate value at $41,219/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $90,008, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Bryant University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 18 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 69 | $22,453 | $89,070 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #4 | Muhlenberg College | 49 | $28,905 | $69,107 |
| #5 | Drake University | 47 | $29,127 | $71,901 |
| #6 | Stonehill College | 46 | $33,016 | $77,745 |
| #8 | Bryant University | 44 | $41,219 | $90,008 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bryant University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in RI.
Best Programs at Bryant University
The highest-earning program at Bryant University is Accounting and Related Services at $57,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at $35,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Bryant University earns $57,900, while a Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduate earns $35,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $41,219/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,900 | $57,900 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $57,300 | $57,300 | $25,500 |
| Applied Mathematics | $57,100 | $57,100 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,500 | $56,500 | $27,000 |
| International Business | $54,600 | $54,600 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $50,500 | $50,500 | $25,279 |
| Marketing | $48,600 | $48,600 | $26,684 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,300 | $42,300 | $27,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $35,500 | $35,500 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in RI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Smithfield, RI
- Student Body
- 3,194 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $41,219
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $90,008
- Median Student Debt
- $26,849