Criminology Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$102K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Criminology 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. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $73,320.
Category
Social Science
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%
Criminology Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology 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
$23,970
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$573,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($705,000) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Criminology
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 Criminology in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Social Science Majors in Providence
Criminology 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 Criminology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.