Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Bryant University

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Bryant University that cost less. 15 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Bryant University

Smithfield, Rhode Island · Private Nonprofit

$41,219
Net Price
$90,008
Median Earnings (10yr)
65.5%
Acceptance Rate
80.2%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Bryant University

Bryant University posts an average net price of $41,219 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Bryant University across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $26,359, achieved by University of Chicago at $14,860. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 15 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Bryant University’s $90,008, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $96,030.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$26,359
Max Savings
15
Better Value Options
57%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Lafayette College $91k 2. Trinity College $91k 3. Bucknell University $94k 4. Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti $102k 5. George Washington University $91k Compared to Bryant University: $90k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,433 -$6,786 $91,410 87.8% 57%
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,832 -$6,387 $90,779 83.3% 56%
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$40,766 -$453 $93,807 86.3% 53%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$36,228 -$4,991 $102,051 83.4% 51%
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$36,586 -$4,633 $90,873 84.5% 50%
Northeastern University Oakland
Oakland, CA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$25,181 -$16,038 $92,538 N/A 47%
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$37,930 -$3,289 $120,959 87.5% 46%
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · Public Better Value
$28,690 -$12,529 $97,335 80.9% 46%
Chamberlain University-Texas
Houston, TX · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,209 -$9,010 $92,405 N/A 43%
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$14,860 -$26,359 $91,885 95.4% 43%
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$15,846 -$25,373 $91,565 93.1% 43%
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County
Anaheim, CA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,879 -$8,340 $102,672 61.3% 42%
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,660 -$6,559 $94,823 70.7% 42%
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$23,781 -$17,438 $94,810 94.4% 42%
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$30,915 -$10,304 $92,538 90.5% 42%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Bryant University are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Bryant University?
We found 15 schools similar to Bryant University that cost less. The closest match is Lafayette College with 57% similarity and a net price of $34,433.
What is the ROI of attending Bryant University?
Bryant University has an average net price of $41,219. Former students earn a median of $90,008 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 2.2x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Bryant University for less money?
Yes - 15 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Lafayette College costs $34,433 (saving $6,786) with median earnings of $91,410.
What is the cheapest alternative to Bryant University?
The most affordable similar school is University of Chicago at $14,860, saving $26,359 compared to Bryant University. It has a 43% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $96,030 compared to Bryant University's $90,008. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.