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Public Administration at Rhode Island College

Providence, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $32,409/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)

ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #45 of 45 Public Administration programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Administration graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$427K	$433K	$420K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.9x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	4.1x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	49%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	44	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,944

Out-of-state: $106,076 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,952

-0% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,409/yr fall 34% below the $49,353 national median for Public Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 9.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #45 out of 45 programs, Rhode Island College's financial outcomes for Public Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,630 students in Providence, RI. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rhode Island College →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Construction managers $106,980/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rhode Island College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rhode Island College's Public Administration program score?

This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Public Administration. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Public Administration to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Public Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Public Administration earnings lower at Rhode Island College?

Lower starting pay at Rhode Island College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →