Rivier University: A Comprehensive Overview

Rivier University, a private Catholic institution located in Nashua, New Hampshire, has a rich history and a strong commitment to educating the whole person. Founded in 1933 by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and Sister Madeleine of Jesus, Rivier welcomes students from all backgrounds and provides a transformative and supportive educational experience. The university's dedication to academic excellence, personal growth, and service to others makes it a unique and valuable institution of higher learning.

Historical Context and Founding Principles

Rivier University is named in honor of Blessed Anne-Marie Rivier, Foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. Established in 1933 in Hudson, New Hampshire, the University moved in 1941 to the present campus site in Nashua. The University was incorporated in 1935 under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, and through two separate charters was invested with the power to confer both graduate and undergraduate degrees. In conjunction with the bicentennial of the founding of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1796, the University formally recommitted to Anne Marie Rivier’s mission of teaching and serving the poor by making social justice and service to others a special focus of its work.

Academic Programs and Structure

Rivier University offers academic programs at the Undergraduate, Professional Studies, Graduate, and Doctoral levels. The university is committed to providing students with an engaging, hands-on, and face-to-face academic experience. Students can choose from online and hybrid classes in addition to traditional courses on the 68-acre campus.

Undergraduate Studies

As an Undergraduate student, you’ll benefit from personalized support from our academic advisors and faculty to help you achieve your individual career goals. The university offers a strong core curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences, which assists the student in developing the ability to analyze, communicate (orally and in writing), and reason (quantitatively and logically). Education at Rivier is viewed in a broader sense as preparation for an enlightened and productive life; students are expected to develop not only competence but also a spirit of cooperation and a willingness to expend talents and energies in improving the human condition. Individual course grades reflect the instructor’s assessment of how well the student has achieved the objectives of the course, mastered its specific content, and demonstrated University-wide competencies at a level appropriate for that course and subject.

Rivier has underscored its longstanding commitment to educating the whole person through a University-wide model of strengths-based well-being. By focusing on what students do well, Rivier fosters positive self-concept, a sense of purpose, and an alignment of strengths with life goals and career opportunities. Rivier faculty and staff are focused on student success, providing transformative learning experiences both in and beyond the classroom. Rivier’s rich history of supporting the academic and personal success of all its students is reflected both in broad-based learning in the liberal arts and in programs of professional practice, including business, education, nursing, and professional psychology.

Professional Studies

As a Professional Studies student, you’ll find a balance between your undergraduate academics, work, and family life essential to your success. You’ll build professional connections that will prepare you for career success and position you for advancement.

Graduate Studies

Graduate education at Rivier University provides advanced and specialized professional training beyond the baccalaureate degree. Most of the University’s graduate students are practitioners in particular fields and bring a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to the classroom. Graduate programs at Rivier University are innovative and respond to the social, technological, and economic changes affecting intellectual and professional life. Graduate faculty, students, and administrative staff at Rivier University are characterized by their love of learning and their ability to develop and apply their knowledge. Our Graduate programs will prepare you to achieve leadership roles in the industry of your choice. You’ll find our alumni serving as leaders in business, government, education, healthcare, and countless industries across the country and around the world.

Doctoral Studies

Pursue your Doctoral degree at Rivier and become an innovator. Rivier Doctoral alumni are highly respected professionals who are advancing their industries globally.

Campus Life and Resources

Rivier University's campus consists of 44 buildings spread over 68 acres (28 ha) in Nashua. The University is located on a 68-acre campus one mile from downtown Nashua in a quiet residential area. Easy access to Boston provides students with opportunities for intellectual, cultural, and social enrichment. Proximity to the seacoast and to the White Mountains of New Hampshire offers additional recreational advantages.

Facilities and Buildings

Adrienne Hall: Houses the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid and Student Accounts.
Benoit Hall: Location of the Division of Counseling and Psychology and the Division of Education.
Dion Center: The University’s only 24/7 facility; home to Raider Crossing, the Dining Center, the Office of Public Safety & Security, the Office of Student Experience, Student Engagement, Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, Campus Ministry and Service Learning, Dean of Students, Student Government, and the Student Organization Club room. Dion Center also houses several meeting and conference spaces.
Heritage Plaza: A place of sacred beauty reflecting the University’s Catholic heritage and a campus focal point.
Learning Commons: A 15,000-square-foot facility that houses academic support services and provides opportunities for students to work in teams, use digital resources, receive assistance from peer mentors and tutors, and access career services. The Learning Center includes the Academic Support Center, Career & Academic Advising, Disability Services, Counseling and Wellness Center, University Advancement and Alumni Relations.
Athletics Pavilion: Located at the multi-sport turf field, the Pavilion provides stadium-style seating and facilities for fans, four team locker rooms, an athletic training room with workstations, and a press box.
Memorial Hall: One of the main classroom buildings on campus and the location of the Office of Global Engagement and the Rivier University Art Gallery.
Muldoon Health and Fitness Center: Used by Rivier students, faculty and staff in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
Raider Diamond: The home of the Raiders Softball team.
Regina Library: The resource library for students, faculty and staff.
Rivier Village: Offers four-person (4) apartments for upperclassmen.
Science and Innovation Center: A 30,000 square-foot renovation that incorporates many elements of a professional environment.
Sylvia Trottier Hall: Rivier’s Office of Information Technology shares the lower level.

Student Life and Activities

Rivier offers intercollegiate club sports and has a student activities office, a multicultural office, counseling center, career development center, and campus ministry. Rivier has a chapter of Habitat for Humanity. There is a Model United Nations Club, a Business Club, a Biology Club, an Alliance Club (Gay-Straight Alliance), and numerous other organizations. Club membership is open to any interested student. Student clubs and activities are student-run, some with faculty advisors.

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Rivier provides growth opportunities both in and beyond the classroom. The NHCUC Undergraduate Student Exchange program is an opportunity for students in good academic, financial, and social standing to enroll in courses not offered at their home institution. The visiting student pays tuition to the home institution and may pay fees to the host institution.

Technology Resources

Information Technology provides students with technology to facilitate coursework and research. Six computer labs are located across campus. Rivier virtual desktops are available from any device connected to the internet. The Regina Library also has a classroom equipped with 23 PCs as well as many other high-speed computers that can be used for research, writing a paper, completing assignments, printing, etc. The library has a limited number of laptop computers to loan to students on a short-term temporary basis. All computers are connected to the Rivier University network and provide direct access to the Internet. Standard software includes Microsoft Office 365.

Academic Support

Rivier’s Academic Support Center offers a number of services to all Rivier students. Staffed by professional writing consultants, and peer tutors, the Center serves students of all abilities. Writing consultants assist students with their writing projects in any of their courses. Peer tutors provide help in all major disciplines; some lead supplemental instruction sessions for select courses.

Accreditation and Recognition

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by NECHE indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Accreditation by NECHE is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by NECHE should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. All education programs are approved by the New Hampshire Education Department and the Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission. Rivier’s Doctor of Psychology in Counseling and School Psychology (Psy.D.) has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), which grants national accreditation for programs in health service psychology. The program’s current APA accreditation status of accreditation expires on August 4, 2033.

Undergraduate business programs in Business Management, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Marketing, Sport Management, as well as the University’s established Master of Business Administration programs, are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP, 11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213, (913) 339-9356, www.acbsp.org. Doctor of Psychology in Counseling and School Psychology (Psy.D.) received full accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA). Rivier is one of only two institutions in New Hampshire to receive APA accreditation for the Psy.D.

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In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Rivier University is ranked No. #139 in Regional Universities North. It's also ranked No. #41 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Financial Information

The school's tuition and fees are $37,791. The average net price for federal loan recipients is $28,286. The four-year graduation rate is 49%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $54,599. Each student is assigned a financial aid advisor to help answer questions and provide guidance. From assistance with filling out the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) for the first time to helping students to determine how much aid to accept-Financial Aid and Student Accounts staff is located here to answer questions and provide guidance

A Transformative Learning Community

Rivier is a vibrant learning community focused on transforming hearts and minds to serve the world. The University creates an environment which facilitates personal and professional growth of the individual who will contribute to the larger civic and global communities. Committed to the faith heritage, intellectual tradition, and social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the University educates the whole person in the context of an academic community that cultivates critical thought, sound judgment, and respect for all people. This community supports the intellectual growth of all its members while offering them opportunities for social, cultural, moral, and spiritual development. Rivier creates an environment in which integrated learning is the shared responsibility of students, faculty, staff, and administrators, and is pursued in all the curricular and co-curricular programs of the University. To participate in the life of Rivier University is to strive for academic excellence, to take responsibility for ourselves and for others, and to engage in dialogue about basic human issues facing society, especially the plight of the poor and powerless.

Recent Developments

Following the launch of its undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence in March, Rivier University introduced a Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence in June. February 18, 2025Rivier University has announced the launch of its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, a fast-track designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another discipline and are seeking an expedited route to a nursing career in as little as 16 months. The first two of seven buildings opened in the spring of 2024. Each apartment has two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a living area, and an in-unit washer and dryer. In each building, seven (7) apartments offer four single bedrooms, while two (2) apartments offer two (2) double bedrooms.

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