Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Rio Salado College Worth It?
At a value score of 8/100, Rio Salado College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $41,015 — 24% below average — while paying $8,341/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 6% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 1 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Rio Salado College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rio Salado College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in AZ
Ranked #157 of 157 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #157 | Rio Salado College | 8 | $8,341 | $41,015 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Rio Salado College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in AZ.
Best Programs at Rio Salado College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Rio Salado College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,341/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
Similar Colleges in AZ
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
- Student Body
- 11,668 students
- Graduation Rate
- 6%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,341
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,015
- Median Student Debt
- $9,500