Head-to-head comparison
University of Rhode Island vs Salve Regina University: which has better ROI?
Option A Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island
- Net price / year
- $21,440
- Earnings, 10 years
- $69,743
- Payback
- 4 yrs
Option B Newport, RI
Salve Regina University
- Net price / year
- $36,967
- Earnings, 10 years
- $72,975
- Payback
- 6 yrs
University of Rhode Island has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,760 in 4 years versus 6 years at Salve Regina University, on median earnings of $69,743 vs $72,975 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rhode Island | Salve Regina University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,440 | $36,967 |
| Total net cost | $85,760 | $147,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,743 | $72,975 |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $341,900 | $344,432 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Rhode Island or Salve Regina University?
University of Rhode Island, at $21,440 a year after aid versus $36,967 — a gap of $15,527 a year, or $62,108 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Rhode Island or Salve Regina University graduates earn more?
Salve Regina University graduates report a median $72,975 ten years after entry, $3,232 more than the $69,743 at University of Rhode Island. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Rhode Island or Salve Regina University?
University of Rhode Island: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Salve Regina University, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Salve Regina University, against 73% at University of Rhode Island. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.