Economics at Providence College

Providence College economics graduates start strong at $69,364—well above the national median of $51,722 and trailing only Brown University among Rhode Island schools. That 60th percentile state ranking is actually more impressive than it sounds: with just eight economics programs in Rhode Island, this program sits solidly in the middle tier below Brown but significantly outperforming larger state schools like URI. The $26,000 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio, and earnings jump 30% to over $90,000 by year four.

The value proposition here is straightforward: you're paying for a selective liberal arts education (49% acceptance rate, 1342 SAT average) that delivers professional-level economics outcomes without the Ivy League price tag. The low Pell grant enrollment (13%) suggests families here are often paying more than the median debt figure indicates, so understand that $26,000 represents borrowing, not total cost.

For families committed to a small-college environment in the Northeast, this program performs well. The earnings put graduates in the 91st percentile nationally while keeping debt below the 18th percentile—that's the kind of combination that makes monthly loan payments feel manageable rather than crushing. Just recognize you're competing primarily with Brown graduates in the local market, though the salary gap narrows considerably after the first year.