Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 based on comparable management programs nationally suggests a manageable financial start—roughly four months of gross pay to cover what graduates typically owe. The estimated $62,000 first-year earnings align with the national median for these programs, which isn't surprising given that quantitative business degrees tend to produce fairly consistent early outcomes regardless of institution prestige. With 41% of students receiving Pell grants, Rhode Island College serves a more economically diverse population than many competitors, and keeping debt estimates around $23,000 matters more for these families than for wealthier ones.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes, we're looking at what *similar* programs produce rather than what Rhode Island College specifically delivers. Bryant University, the only RI school with reported data in this field, shows $60,000 earnings—close to these estimates but hardly definitive. For a program emphasizing quantitative skills, employers care more about what students can do with data analytics, operations research, or statistical modeling than where they learned it, which could work in this program's favor if the curriculum is rigorous.
If your child is genuinely interested in analytics or operations management and Rhode Island College offers affordable access, the estimated numbers don't wave red flags. Just recognize you're betting on pattern-matching to peer programs rather than a proven track record from this specific school.
Where Rhode Island College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Rhode Island
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Rhode Island (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,986 | $62,069* | — | $22,789* | — | |
| $51,169 | $60,162* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $62,069* | — | $23,250* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Operations Research Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Rhode Island College, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 118 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.