Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Rivier University #854 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,218 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Rivier University in the 94.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Rivier University #1206 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Rivier University's composite ranking reflects its ability to deliver strong outcomes across multiple dimensions. Graduates earn about $18,218 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting the institution's focus on career-aligned programs. The university's mobility ranking highlights its success in supporting students into stable, well-paying careers.
Azimuth ranks Rivier University #854 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 42.5 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Nashua, NH, Rivier University enrolls roughly 1,231 undergraduates. Retention is 75.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 51.7%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Rivier University builds its composite strength on access and affordability. 28.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.4% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as a broad-access institution. Azimuth ranks Rivier University 18.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a pricing structure that makes higher education accessible to cost-conscious families. The institution's dominant program family is Health, which aligns with regional labor-market demand and provides students with pathways into stable, in-demand fields. Return on investment sits lower in the composite. Azimuth ranks Rivier University #172 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 88.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment place Rivier University in the 86.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures reflect a student population whose outcomes represent meaningful returns relative to the no-degree baseline, even where they fall below selective-peer averages. For families prioritizing affordability and access alongside solid long-term outcomes, Rivier University offers a practical pathway through higher education.
Rivier University's published cost of attendance is $53,499. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $23,321, middle-income families pay around $25,106, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,359. Azimuth ranks Rivier University #1163 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Rivier participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The gap between published cost of attendance and net price reflects how financial aid reshapes affordability across income levels — a pattern worth understanding when comparing sticker price across institutions. Families should review Rivier's financial aid page ↗ for current aid policies and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,956, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,985; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $79,087, median federal debt of $26,956 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Rivier University is a strong fit for students drawn to health professions and nursing who want a private nonprofit university experience in Nashua, NH. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $79,087, placing Rivier University in the 86.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $18,218 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Rivier University in the 94.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.4% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Rivier University in the 71.0 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Published cost of attendance is $31,359, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $31,359 after need-based aid. Rivier University's program portfolio is concentrated in Health — students interested in these fields will find strong national rankings and earnings outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Rivier University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
156 graduates
Public Health
7 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
19 graduates
Psychology, General
19 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
17 graduates
Rivier University's program mix is anchored in health professions and nursing—a portfolio shaped by the institution's mission as a health-focused private university in New Hampshire. Nursing is the largest program with 156 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Business Administration, Teacher Education, and Special Education and Teaching.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 242 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with the institution's health-professions identity. The earnings pattern reflects Health as the dominant concentration.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $91,727, with 156 graduates in the program. Public Health graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $72,965 with 7 graduates, and Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,102.
These programs represent the institution's core economic signature, combining meaningful cohort scale with earnings outcomes that support graduates entering stable, in-demand health-sector roles. Several of these programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter the labor market immediately after completion—particularly nursing and health-related fields where four-year earnings reflect actual labor-market outcomes and employer demand.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Rivier University's dominant program families align with national workforce trends in health professions and related sectors.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Rivier University's published cost of attendance is $53,499. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $23,321, middle-income families pay around $25,106, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,359.
Azimuth ranks Rivier University #1163 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Rivier participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The gap between published cost of attendance and net price reflects how financial aid reshapes affordability across income levels — a pattern worth understanding when comparing sticker price across institutions.
Families should review Rivier's [financial aid page ↗](#) for current aid policies and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,956, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,985; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $79,087, median federal debt of $26,956 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Rivier University earn median 4-year earnings of $79,087, placing Rivier University in the 86.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,218 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Rivier University in the 94.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Rivier University #172 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Rivier University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 156 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $91,727, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 19 students earning $56,686, while Business Administration and Teacher Education round out the institution's core program portfolio with 19 and 17 graduates respectively.
These programs align with stable, in-demand healthcare and allied health career pathways that support consistent post-graduation earnings and long-term financial outcomes for Rivier University students.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oakland City University Similar quality tier (#21396 ranked) | IN | 83% | $43,283 | #21396 | Compare |
University Of Charleston Similar quality tier (#21392 ranked) | WV | 62% | $55,774 | #21392 | Compare |
Everglades University Similar quality tier (#21407 ranked) | FL | 81% | $47,597 | #21407 | Compare |
University Of Indianapolis Similar quality tier (#21411 ranked) | IN | 67% | $53,610 | #21411 | Compare |
Baker University Similar quality tier (#21418 ranked) | KS | 94% | $63,855 | #21418 | Compare |
