Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Roger Williams University #1283 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,733 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Roger Williams University in the 37.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Roger Williams University #522 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Roger Williams University #1283 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Bristol, Rhode Island, Roger Williams University enrolls roughly 3,946 undergraduates. Retention is 81.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 68.7%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Where Roger Williams University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Roger Williams University #522 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,129. They earn about $4,733 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Roger Williams University in the 37.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Business — which represents a substantial share of degree output — aligns with strong early-career earnings and steady employer demand in the region. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Roger Williams University sits in the 15.4 percentile for access and the 3.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 16.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 19.7% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need. Mobility outcomes sit in the 45.7 percentile, indicating that low-income graduates achieve earnings gains relative to national baselines, though the institution's overall composite is anchored primarily in return on investment rather than access breadth.
Roger Williams University's published cost of attendance is $61,950. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $29,778, middle-income families pay around $33,623, and higher-income families pay approximately $40,792. Azimuth ranks Roger Williams University #1372 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. Roger Williams participates in federal need-based aid programs and works with families to structure aid packages using the FAFSA. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid, though families should verify current aid policies on the institution's financial aid website, as aid structures and funding levels can shift year to year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,940, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $49,892; 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 $68,129, median federal debt of $26,940 projects to a monthly payment of about $304 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Roger Williams University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related applied fields who want a private university experience in RI. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,129, placing Roger Williams University in the 71.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,733 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 37.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 16.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 19.7% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place Roger Williams University in the 78.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 87.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors applied-professional fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with Business and related applied areas will find strong 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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Roger Williams University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shenandoah University Similar quality tier (#33852 ranked) | VA | 77% | $58,433 | #33852 | Compare |
Vassar College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#33851 ranked) | NY | 19% | $71,366 | #33851 | Compare |
Anderson University Similar quality tier (#33850 ranked) | SC | 55% | $42,101 | #33850 | Compare |
Dordt University Similar quality tier (#33848 ranked) | IA | 68% | $52,559 | #33848 | Compare |
Harding University Similar quality tier (#33864 ranked) | AR | 71% | $52,876 | #33864 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Roger Williams University's published cost of attendance is $61,950. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $29,778, middle-income families pay around $33,623, and higher-income families pay approximately $40,792.
Azimuth ranks Roger Williams University #1372 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.
Roger Williams participates in federal need-based aid programs and works with families to structure aid packages using the FAFSA. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid, though families should verify current aid policies on the institution's financial aid website, as aid structures and funding levels can shift year to year.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,940, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $49,892; 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 $68,129, median federal debt of $26,940 projects to a monthly payment of about $304 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 Roger Williams University earn median 4-year earnings of $68,129, placing Roger Williams University in the 71.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,733 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Roger Williams University in the 37.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Roger Williams University #522 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect a career trajectory that builds steadily over the first decade after enrollment, with graduates moving into roles that reward both their undergraduate preparation and continued professional development.
The earnings pattern is anchored in business and professional fields. Criminal Justice is the institution's largest program by aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment with strong median earnings of $70,747 four years after enrollment — 1.3× the national benchmark for the field.
The Digital Marketing program graduates 64 students annually and earns median 4-year earnings of $71,989, while Architecture and Psychology, General round out the high-enrollment core with median earnings in the $65,092 and $57,212 range. The concentration in Business — representing 23% of degrees — helps explain the institution's consistent earnings performance relative to peer institutions.
Accounting and Related Services
13 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
41 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
27 graduates
Construction Management
36 graduates
Civil Engineering
11 graduates
Roger Williams University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a career-focused private university. Criminal Justice is the largest program with 88 graduates annually, followed by Digital Marketing, Architecture, Psychology, General, and Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.
Across 38 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in applied professional fields.
Finance graduates earn median earnings of $94,919 four years after enrollment, while Construction Management graduates earn $93,340 and Business Administration graduates earn $76,219. These outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles immediately after completion.
Digital Marketing and Biology, General round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $71,989 and $71,652 respectively. Roger Williams University's program portfolio emphasizes career readiness and employer alignment.
The concentration in Business and related professional disciplines positions graduates for immediate labor-market entry in fields with consistent hiring demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national workforce trends.
For students prioritizing early-career earnings and direct employment pathways, this program mix delivers predictable, measurable outcomes.
