Economics at Roger Williams University

In Rhode Island's competitive economics landscape, Roger Williams sits in a peculiar middle ground. Based on comparable programs in the state, graduates can expect first-year earnings around $60,700—well above the national median for economics degrees but trailing the state's elite programs by $10,000 or more. The estimated debt load of $24,100 translates to a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With an 88% admission rate and moderate test scores, Roger Williams draws a different student profile than Brown or Providence College, yet the earnings estimate derives from a small pool of Rhode Island economics programs that includes these very different institutions. Similar programs nationally suggest $51,700 in first-year earnings—$9,000 less than the Rhode Island figure—which raises questions about whether Roger Williams graduates will track closer to state or national outcomes.

For families weighing this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable if the state-level estimate holds: you'd graduate with debt equal to less than half a year's salary entering a field with genuine earning potential. But recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into how Roger Williams economics graduates specifically fare in the job market.