Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rhode Island College at a Glance
Rhode Island College (RIC) is a public college in Rhode Island, United States, with much of the land in Providence, and other parts in North Providence. The college was established in 1854 as the Rhode Island State Normal School, making it the second-oldest institution of higher education in Rhode Island after Brown University. Located on a 180-acre (73 ha) campus, the college has a student body of 6,000. RIC is a member of the NCAA and has 17 Division III teams.
1854
172 years old
$16M
$16.4 million
6,158
5,157 undergrad · 1,001 grad
180 acres
Identity
Is Rhode Island College Worth It?
Rhode Island College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $9,478/year, it's priced 54% below average, while graduates go on to earn $56,318 — 5% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Rhode Island College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Rhode Island College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 112 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #5 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #6 | Schoolcraft Community College District | 79 | $2,260 | $42,722 |
| #10 | Rhode Island College | 70 | $9,478 | $56,318 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Rhode Island College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Rhode Island College
The highest-earning program at Rhode Island College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $24,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Rhode Island College earns $63,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $24,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $26,149 in median debt vs. $20,239 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,478/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,300 | $63,300 | $26,149 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $56,800 | $56,800 | $18,498 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $50,900 | $50,900 | $21,700 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,000 | $47,000 | $23,461 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $46,100 | $46,100 | $19,041 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,700 | $43,700 | $19,035 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,200 | $39,200 | $19,059 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,400 | $38,400 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,700 | $37,700 | $22,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $37,200 | $37,200 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,000 | $35,000 | $19,000 |
| Biology, General | $34,400 | $34,400 | $20,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,000 | $34,000 | $21,250 |
| Marketing | $33,600 | $33,600 | $26,504 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,700 | $31,700 | $24,926 |
| Psychology, General | $31,700 | $31,700 | $20,138 |
| Sociology | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,993 |
| Social Work | $29,900 | $29,900 | $22,258 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,200 | $28,200 | $18,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $20,375 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $26,300 | $26,300 | $24,190 |
| History | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,889 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $25,300 | $25,300 | $19,658 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,200 | $24,200 | $22,899 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,000 | $24,000 | $20,239 |
Similar Colleges in RI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Providence, RI
- Student Body
- 5,049 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,478
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,318
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500