Economics Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$92K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$141K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Economics 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. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $91,650, growing to $141,000 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%
Economics Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics 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
$42,300
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$1,066,532
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,198,500) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Economics
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 Economics in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Business Majors in Providence
Business Analytics
$110K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$99K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$87K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$71K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$82K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics 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 Economics ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.