Riverside College of Health Sciences
Riverside College of Health Sciences — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Riverside College of Health Sciences at a Glance
Riverside College of Health Sciences is an American private nonprofit educational institution. It was established in 1916 at the Elizabeth Buxton Hospital School of Nursing and was later called the Riverside College of Health Careers. It is located in Newport News, Virginia and is associated with Riverside Health.
1916
110 years old
303
Is Riverside College of Health Sciences Worth It?
Riverside College of Health Sciences is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $20,744/year net price and $66,072 median earnings, graduates earn 3.2× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 100% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 13% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: Riverside College of Health Sciences delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Riverside College of Health Sciences compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 7 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 | Homestead Schools | 87 | $15,962 | $59,398 |
| #2 | Riverside College of Health Sciences | 80 | $20,744 | $66,072 |
| #3 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #4 | Boston Architectural College | 21 | $25,865 | $62,123 |
| #5 | Southern California University of Health Sciences | 19 | $45,848 | $70,649 |
| #6 | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education | 15 | $35,671 | $54,914 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Riverside College of Health Sciences's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Riverside College of Health Sciences
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Riverside College of Health Sciences. 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 $20,744/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 VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Newport News, VA
- Student Body
- 350 students
- Admission Rate
- 13%
- Graduation Rate
- 100%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,744
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,072
- Median Student Debt
- $14,787