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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).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,500(+$20,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$95,880(+$27,880 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$119,850(+$34,850 vs national)

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)

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 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:

EPANGOsConsulting FirmsCorporationsRenewable Energy Companies

Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences

Government agencies

Non-profits

Research institutes

Social services

Consulting

Common Sustainability Studies Job Titles

Sustainability CoordinatorEnvironmental ConsultantCSR Manager

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.

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Compare Sustainability Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.

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