Bryant University
#4 Best Master's Programs in Rhode Island- Graduation Rate
- 80% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $90,008 A+
- Top 2% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $41,219 F
- 141% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 65% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Master's Programs in Rhode Island.
Every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,562,608.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 121% more than the national college median.
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A 80% graduation rate — 40% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bryant University Matters
Bryant University is a private university in Smithfield, RI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 2% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,194
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Bryant University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 65% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1190–1330. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $41,219 a year after grants and scholarships — 141% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $90,008 ten years after enrolling — 121% above the typical college, against $26,849 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 43% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.85 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 3,200 students and an acceptance rate of 65%, Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, is a great fit for those interested in business and marketing, as well as fields like mathematics, social sciences, and communications. The school’s focus on practical skills and real-world applications prepares students well for their future careers. Students here can expect to be engaged in a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes collaboration and innovation.
After graduation, the financial outlook for Bryant alumni is strong, with a median earning of $90,008 ten years after completing their degree. This figure is significant as it indicates that many graduates find solid career opportunities. Additionally, the affordability of Bryant is notable, as its net price after financial aid is $41,219, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. This means that students who invest in their education at Bryant can expect a good return on that investment.
When considering the practical aspects of attending Bryant, it’s important to look at the financial implications. The median debt for graduates stands at $26,849, which is reasonable given the earning potential. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are motivated, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the supportive community and resources available. With a graduation rate of 80%, it’s clear that many find their place and succeed in reaching their educational goals.
Rankings
- #4 Best Master's Programs in Rhode Island
- #5 Best Colleges in Rhode Island
- #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island
- #22 Highest-Paying MBA Programs
- #23 Highest-Paying Colleges for Business
- #23 Highest-Paying Colleges for Accounting
- #23 Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance
- #23 Highest-Paying Colleges for Marketing
Can I Get In?
How selective Bryant University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bryant University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,265. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1265
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1190–1330
- ACT Range
- 27–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $14,681
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 16%
- Applicants
- 8,900
- Admitted
- 6,124
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bryant University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bryant University is $52,677, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $41,219. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,698 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,849 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $52,677
- Out-of-State
- $52,677
- Avg Net Price
- $41,219
- Median Debt
- $26,849
- Pell Grant Rate
- 13%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $32,698
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $34,055
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $36,130
- Family Income $110K+
- $44,846
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bryant University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bryant University earn a median of $90,008, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $66,488
- 8 Years
- $88,274
- 10 Years
- $90,008
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.3x
- Earning > $25K
- 91%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (648)
- 79%
- 100% (648)
- 79%
- 100% (648)
- 79%
- 100% (648)
- 79%
How Bryant Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bryant University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bryant University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $41,219/year ($164,876 total). Graduates earn $90,008 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,727,484 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,562,608 (16.5× your investment). The median debt is $26,849, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 80% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $164,876
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,727,484
- Net Return
- $2,562,608
- ROI Multiple
- 16.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $41,219
- Median Debt
- $26,849
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bryant University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bryant University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.60%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 53.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.60%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 53.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $116,900
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-13,302,000
Top Programs
The fields Bryant University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 82%
- Social Sciences 3%
- Psychology 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Health Professions 2%
- Mathematics & Statistics 2%
- Communications 2%
- Computer Science & IT 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bryant University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bryant University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,265. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bryant University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bryant University is $52,677, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $41,219. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,698 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,849 in federal student loans.
Is Bryant University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bryant University earn a median of $90,008, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Bryant University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bryant University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.60%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 53.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bryant University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bryant University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.85, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bryant University.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottPrescott, AZ · Close peer69% grad $84,131 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA · Close peer84% grad $82,939 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · Close peer71% grad $89,812 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute, IN · Close peer80% grad $101,253 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar net price
- Siena UniversityLoudonville, NY · Close peer75% grad $76,079 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie, NY · Close peer80% grad $77,819 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bryant University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bryant University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.85, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note