What RI Universities Are Better Investments?

Written by Samantha Turner

We’re all looking for the best bang for our buck, whether it’s purchasing a car, a home or your cell phone service plan. For many parents, one of life’s big ticket items is your child’s college tuition.

Tuition for public colleges is around $22,261 while private colleges averages $43,289 for the 2012-2013 academic year  – and those figures a projecting to keep rising. With many graduating college nearly $100,000 in debt, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your college of choice.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org has done a sweep of universities and colleges across the country, ranking them in terms of lifetime return on investment. Nine Rhode Island colleges made the mark.

Despite having the highest tuition in the state, Brown University came out on top with the highest lifetime ROI with an average of $1.1 million made in salary over a lifetime.

1. Brown University, Providence

ROI: $1,118,000

Tuition: $41,328

2. Bryant University, Smithfield

ROI: $847,900

Tuition: $34,288

3. Providence College, Providence

ROI: $832,300

Tuition: $40,150

4. University of Rhode Island (URI), Kingston

ROI: $714,000

Tuition: $9,824

5. Roger Williams University, Bristol

ROI: $483,500

Tuition: $28,968

6.  Rhode Island College, Providence

ROI: $459,400

Tuition: $6,240 

7. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence

ROI: $424,300

Tuition: $39,482

8. Salve Regina University, Newport

ROI: $383,900

Tuition: $32,500

9. Johnson & Wales University, Providence

ROI: $79,680

Tuition: $18,774

Learn more about AC Online’s methodology and rankings for other states and colleges here.