Public · Mostly certificates · Midsize city

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona. 11,668 undergraduates.

10%Graduation rate61 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$5,978Average net price per year66% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$42,589Median earnings 10 years after starting16% above the national median for similar colleges ($36,576)
$6,750Median debt at graduation29% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,500)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($6,750) equals 16% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($42,589). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$5,475
$30,000–$48,000$5,465
$48,001–$75,000$6,835
$75,001–$110,000$7,398
Over $110,000$11,290

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $2,358 in-state, $8,958 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate10%71%
Return for second year—77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$46,714$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$42,589$36,576
Median debt at graduation$6,750$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

77 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Criminal Justice and Corrections1,724$62,457$61,597$9,500
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services1,278$43,555$51,387$13,127
Legal Support Services25$39,175—$11,000
Natural Resources Conservation and Research2———
Computer Programming16———
Computer Systems Analysis6———
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications4———
Computer Software and Media Applications2———
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications2———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management30———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods50———
Education, Other1———
Nanotechnology6———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services2———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics6———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services16———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services7———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies2———
Natural Sciences22———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other11———
Homeland Security19———
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other1———
Public Administration25———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers80——$6,334
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services65———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians31———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians73———
Fine and Studio Arts321———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions97———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions133——$7,366
Business/Commerce, General33———
Business Administration, Management and Operations25———
Accounting and Related Services36———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations84———
Finance and Financial Management Services30———
Human Resources Management and Services11———
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods8———
Real Estate1———
Insurance3———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in Arizona

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Rio Salado College cost per year?
The average net price at Rio Salado College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $5,978 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Rio Salado College graduates earn?
Former Rio Salado College students earn a median of $42,589 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Rio Salado College?
10% of Rio Salado College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Rio Salado College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Rio Salado College is $6,750. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.