Elementary Education Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Elementary Education 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. Although national enrollment in Elementary Education has been declining, graduates with skills in Lesson Planning and Classroom Management remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500.
Category
Education
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%
Elementary Education Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education 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
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$262,832
Lifetime earnings premium ($394,800) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Elementary Education
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 Elementary Education in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Education Majors in Providence
Instructional Design & Technology
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$71K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education 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 Elementary Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.