Sustainability Studies Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies 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
$96K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Sustainability Studies 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. Sustainability Studies has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Environmental Policy and Lifecycle Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500.
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%
Sustainability Studies Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies 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
$347,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($479,400) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Sustainability Studies
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 Sustainability Studies in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies 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 Sustainability Studies Job Titles
Sustainability Studies 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
Psychology
$62K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$62K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies 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 Sustainability Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.