Best colleges for Economics in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
Brown University, Providence College and University of Rhode Island are the top bachelor's Economics programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. Brown University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,064, College Scorecard. Brown University, University of Rhode Island and Providence College award the most Economics degrees in Rhode Island: 247, 62 and 48 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Economics and award 386 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown University Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,064 | 247 | 96% | $14,644 | $13,000 |
| 2 | Providence College Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,364 | 48 | 86% | $32,048 | $26,000 |
| 3 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,444 | 62 | 73% | — | $23,375 |
| 4 | Bryant University Smithfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $52,020 | 7 | 80% | $38,485 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Economics degrees in Rhode Island
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown University Providence Private not-for-profit | 247 | $72,064 |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public | 62 | $43,444 |
| 3 | Providence College Providence Private not-for-profit | 48 | $69,364 |
| 4 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Bryant University Smithfield Private not-for-profit | 7 | $52,020 |
| 6 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 7 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Economists (SOC 19-3011).
Top skills
What Economists earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Economics programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Economics degrees?+
Brown University (247 graduates a year), University of Rhode Island (62 graduates a year) and Providence College (48 graduates a year) award the most Economics degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Economics.
What is the best college for Economics in Rhode Island?+
By graduate earnings, Brown University leads among bachelor's Economics programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,064, College Scorecard. Providence College and University of Rhode Island follow. By degrees awarded, Brown University is the largest, with 247 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Economics program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Brown University tops the list at $72,064. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
What is the focus of the Economics program?+
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Economists?+
The national job outlook is about +1.2% growth with around 900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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