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Roger Williams University

Bristol, RI·Private nonprofit·3,957 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $56,000 within 10 years.

88%
Accept
3,957
Students
$38,123
Net Price
67%
Grad Rate
$56,000
Earnings
10 yr
$19,500
Debt

About This School

Roger Williams University is a private nonprofit institution located in Bristol, Rhode Island with approximately 3,957 undergraduate students enrolled. Roger Williams University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 88%. The average net price after financial aid is $38,123 per year. The graduation rate is 67%, and the typical graduate earns $56,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

Roger Williams University (RWU) is a private university in Bristol, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1956, it was named for theologian and Rhode Island cofounder Roger Williams. The school enrolled approximately 4,400 undergraduate and graduate students and employs over 480 academic staff as of 2022.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 79% freshman retention rate and 67% graduation rate suggest a meaningful chunk of students don't finish, which is worth asking about during a campus visit. On the upside, median debt at graduation is a relatively manageable $19,500, and the $56,000 median earnings at 10 years are decent — though the $38,123 annual net price means you'll want to make sure the financial aid offer is genuinely strong before committing. Worth considering if you're drawn to the small coastal campus and specific programs like architecture or law, but push the admissions office on what support systems exist to keep students on track to graduation.

Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing25%
Psychology6%
Biological Sciences6%
Education5%
Engineering5%
Health Professions4%
Visual & Performing Arts4%
Communications3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1228
Reading 75th %ile660
Math 75th %ile640

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$42,666
Out-of-State Tuition
$42,666
Avg Net Price
$38,123
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$19,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
67%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
79%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$44,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$56,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White72%
Black3%
Hispanic/Latino11%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,957 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Roger Williams University

One Old Ferry Road

Bristol, RI 02809-2921

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Rhode Island

Browse all Rhode Island schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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