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Business Administration Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026

Business Administration degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$82K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$124K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.1 yrs

in Providence

Cost of Living

141

index (100 = avg)

Business Administration in Providence, RI Overview

Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Business Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,476/month. Business Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Leadership and Strategic Planning. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $81,780, growing to $124,080 by mid-career.

Category

Business

Local Colleges

7

Public Tuition

$15,259/yr

Private Tuition

$59,540/yr

Room & Board

$17,733/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,708/yr

Unemployment

4.3%

Graduation Rate

54%

Business Administration Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$81,780(+$23,780 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$124,080(+$36,080 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$162,150(+$47,150 vs national)

Note: National average Business Administration salary: $58,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.

Business Administration ROI Calculator for Providence

Estimate your return on investment for a Business Administration degree using local Providence tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $15,259 | Private avg: $59,540

Providence avg aid: $15,708/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$131,968

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$32,430

vs HS diploma in Providence

ROI Payback Period

4.1 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Providence

$784,532

Lifetime earnings premium ($916,500) minus total education cost ($131,968)

Student Loan Payoff for Business Administration in Providence

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$131,968
Monthly Payment$1,498
Total Interest$47,848
% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$131,968
Monthly Payment$2,582
Total Interest$22,958
Interest Savings$24,890

Colleges in Providence for Business Administration

Brown University

private

$62,680/yr

$250,720 total

Providence College

private

$56,400/yr

$225,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Community College of Rhode Island

$4,994/yr

Top Employers for Business Administration in Providence

Providence offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Business Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:

AmazonJPMorganDeloitteProcter & GambleMcKinsey

Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Business

Financial services

Consulting firms

Fortune 500 companies

Startups

Marketing agencies

Common Business Administration Job Titles

Business AnalystOperations ManagerManagement Consultant

Business Administration Degree in Providence — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Business Administration ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.

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