Photography Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Photography 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
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Photography in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Photography 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 Photography has been declining, graduates with skills in Lighting and Post-Processing remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500.
Category
Arts & Design
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%
Photography Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Photography salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Photography ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Photography 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
$37,232
Lifetime earnings premium ($169,200) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Photography in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Photography
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 Photography in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Photography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Photography Job Titles
Photography in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Providence
UX Design
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$82K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$71K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$71K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$71K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Photography 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 Photography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.