Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Salve Regina University at a Glance
Salve Regina University is a private coeducational Roman Catholic university in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It was founded in 1934 by the Sisters of Mercy and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The university enrolls more than 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students annually.
1934
92 years old
$77M
$77.4 million (2022)
2,785
2,128 undergrad · 657 grad
Identity
Is Salve Regina University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Salve Regina University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $72,975 — 36% above average — while paying $36,967/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 76% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Salve Regina University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Salve Regina University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #54 of 85 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #3 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #4 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #5 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #54 | Salve Regina University | 37 | $36,967 | $72,975 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Salve Regina 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 Salve Regina University
The highest-earning program at Salve Regina University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $23,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Salve Regina University earns $65,900, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $23,700. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,967/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 | $65,900 | $65,900 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $40,400 | $40,400 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,000 | $39,000 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,500 | $35,500 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,500 | $34,500 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in RI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Newport, RI
- Student Body
- 2,121 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,967
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $72,975
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000