Plymouth vs. Rivier University

Comparable Facts

Compare Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH with Rivier University in Nashua, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Plymouth State University is larger than Rivier University based on total student enrollment (3,707 students vs. 2,777 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plymouth State University is located in Plymouth, NH (Remote Town setting); Rivier University is in Nashua, NH (Small City setting).
• Plymouth State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rivier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plymouth State University 15:1; Rivier University 14:1.

Plymouth vs. Rivier University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plymouth or Rivier University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Plymouth State University than Rivier University ($20,183 vs. $28,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Plymouth State University are 15.8% lower than at Rivier University ($13,158 vs. $15,636).
• Rivier University is 170% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plymouth (about $24,862 more per year; $39,488.00 vs. $14,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at Rivier University than at Plymouth State University (about $13,922 more per year; $39,488.00 vs. $25,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plymouth State University than at Rivier University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rivier University students is 125.8% larger than aid received by Plymouth State University students ($24,927 vs. $11,039).

Plymouth vs. Rivier University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Plymouth or Rivier University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rivier University and Plymouth.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRivier University 1055/1175.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plymouth - Test-free; Rivier University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Plymouth Apr 1, 2027; Rivier University Oct 16, 2026.
• Plymouth has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Rivier University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at Plymouth vs. 15.3% at Rivier University.

Plymouth vs. Rivier University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plymouth and Rivier University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Plymouth State University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Rivier University's (32%).
• Graduates from Rivier University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Plymouth graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rivier University graduates have a $1,545 lower median loan debt than Plymouth graduates ($25,455 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rivier University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Plymouth graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Plymouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rivier University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.