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Food Science Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026

Food Science 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

$110K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Providence

Cost of Living

141

index (100 = avg)

Food Science in Providence, RI Overview

Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Food Science 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. Food Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Food Safety and Food Processing. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500, growing to $109,980 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

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%

Food Science Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)

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

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,500(+$20,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$109,980(+$31,980 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$133,950(+$38,950 vs national)

Note: National average Food Science salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.

Food Science ROI Calculator for Providence

Estimate your return on investment for a Food Science 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

$544,832

Lifetime earnings premium ($676,800) minus total education cost ($131,968)

Student Loan Payoff for Food Science in Providence

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$131,968
Monthly Payment$1,498
Total Interest$47,848
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

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

Colleges in Providence for Food Science

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 Food Science in Providence

Providence offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Food Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PepsiCoNestléGeneral MillsKraft HeinzFDA

Key Providence Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Food Science Job Titles

Food ScientistQuality Assurance ManagerProduct Developer

Food Science 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 Food Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.

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