Rio Salado College
Tempe, Arizona
Rio Salado College is a public institution in Tempe, Arizona with 4,879 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $2,358 compared with a Arizona nursing-school average of $5,753. The school reports a graduation rate of 3.9%, median earnings of $41,015, and median federal debt of $9,500.
$2,358 is lower than the state average of $5,753.
3.9% is lower than the state average of 36.8%.
$41,015 is higher than the state average of $39,850.
About Rio Salado College
| Location | Tempe, Arizona |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.rio.maricopa.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $2,358 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $8,958 |
| Total Enrollment | 4,879 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 3.9% |
| Retention Rate | N/A |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $41,015 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $100 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 7.3% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 4.5% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
7.3% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 4.5% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Rio Salado College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $9,432, while the reported median debt is $9,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $100. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (39.6%), followed by Hispanic students (33.7%) and Black students (13.7%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($41,015) divided by median debt ($9,500)