Rivier University
#8 Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,248 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $28,082 F
- 64% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.9 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire.
Every $1 spent returns $8.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $889,459.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 28% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rivier University Matters
Rivier University is a private university in Nashua, NH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,231
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Rivier 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
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1055–1175. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $28,082 a year after grants and scholarships — 64% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,248 ten years after enrolling — 28% above the typical college, against $26,956 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.64 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 1,231 students, Rivier University offers a personalized education experience that often appeals to those seeking a close-knit community. Students here dive into practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Education, and Biology & Biomedical. The 83% acceptance rate suggests that many aspiring students can find a place here, making it a supportive option for those ready to pursue their passions.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, graduates earn a median salary of $52,248 ten years post-degree. This figure indicates that students often find rewarding career paths, particularly in growing fields. While specific mobility metrics aren’t available, the affordability aspect is noteworthy. With a net price of $28,082 after aid, it strikes a balance for many families looking for a solid education without overwhelming financial strain.
On the financial side, students graduate with a median debt of $26,956. This manageable debt load suggests that while the investment in education is significant, it remains within reach for many. Students who tend to thrive at Rivier are often those who value community, are focused on professional fields, and seek a supportive environment to navigate their educational journey.
Rankings
- #8 Best Nursing Colleges in New Hampshire
- #11 Best Education Colleges in New Hampshire
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Hampshire
- #12 Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
- #13 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire
- #14 Best Colleges in New Hampshire
- #14 Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire
- #15 Best Business Colleges in New Hampshire
Can I Get In?
How selective Rivier 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 Rivier University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Rivier University, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,070. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1070
- SAT Range
- 1055–1175
- Full-Time Faculty
- 31%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,174
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 1,629
- Admitted
- 1,376
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 Rivier University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rivier University is $39,488, 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 $28,082. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,321 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,956 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $39,488
- Out-of-State
- $39,488
- Avg Net Price
- $28,082
- Median Debt
- $26,956
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 70%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $23,321
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $23,978
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,106
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,359
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Rivier University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Rivier University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rivier University earn a median of $52,248, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,599
- 8 Years
- $47,442
- 10 Years
- $52,248
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.52x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (75)
- 44%
- 100% (75)
- 44%
- 100% (75)
- 44%
- 100% (75)
- 44%
How Rivier Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Rivier University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rivier University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,082/year ($112,328 total). Graduates earn $52,248 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,001,787 in total earnings — a net gain of $889,459 (8.9× your investment). The median debt is $26,956, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $112,328
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,001,787
- Net Return
- $889,459
- ROI Multiple
- 8.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $28,082
- Median Debt
- $26,956
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,818,684
- Investment Income
- $-4,536,790
Top Programs
The fields Rivier University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 60% $79,356 early-career
- Business & Marketing 14% $51,598 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $41,235 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Psychology 5% $39,374 early-career
- Education 5% $40,390 early-career
- English & Literature 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Rivier 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rivier University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Rivier University, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,070. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rivier University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rivier University is $39,488, 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 $28,082. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,321 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,956 in federal student loans.
Is Rivier University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rivier University earn a median of $52,248, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Rivier 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 Rivier University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rivier University.
- Lasell UniversityNewton, MA · Close peer56% grad $49,705 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Close peer64% grad $52,415 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of BridgeportBridgeport, CT · Close peer45% grad $50,323 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Chaminade University of HonoluluHonolulu, HI · Close peer57% grad $52,343 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Georgian Court UniversityLakewood, NJ · Close peer54% grad $53,096 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rivier 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 Rivier University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note