Urban Planning Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning 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)
Urban Planning in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Urban Planning 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. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning 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%
Urban Planning Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning 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 Urban Planning in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Urban Planning
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 Urban Planning in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning 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 Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning 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
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
$62K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning 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 Urban Planning ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Providence.