Sociology Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.4 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Sociology 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 Sociology has been declining, graduates with skills in Research Methods and Data Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $62,040.
Category
Social Sciences
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%
Sociology Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology 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
$12,690
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
10.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$220,532
Lifetime earnings premium ($352,500) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Sociology
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 Sociology in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Providence
International Relations
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$71K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$71K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$62K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology 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 Sociology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.