2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Rhode Island
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Rhode Island
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Brown University earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Rhode Island. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $72,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Salve Regina University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,100. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Salve Regina University generally make around $56,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salve Regina University admits about 68% of applicants.
Providence College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $63,550. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Providence College earn a median of $69,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
View All Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
