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Public Health Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026

Public Health 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

$102K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Providence

Cost of Living

141

index (100 = avg)

Public Health in Providence, RI Overview

Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Public Health 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. Public Health has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Epidemiology and Biostatistics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500.

Category

Healthcare

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%

Public Health 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)
$101,520(+$29,520 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$129,720(+$37,720 vs national)

Note: National average Public Health salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.

Public Health ROI Calculator for Providence

Estimate your return on investment for a Public Health 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

$460,232

Lifetime earnings premium ($592,200) minus total education cost ($131,968)

Student Loan Payoff for Public Health 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 Public Health

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 Public Health in Providence

Providence offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Public Health graduates. National top employers in this field include:

CDCWHONIHState Health DepartmentsKaiser Permanente

Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Public Health Job Titles

EpidemiologistHealth EducatorPublic Health Analyst

Public Health 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 Public Health ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.

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