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Psychology at Rhode Island College

Providence, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,694/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #301 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$493K	$493K	$463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.2x	11.2x	10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.6x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	38

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 (4.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,952

-0% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,205

37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,694 at Rhode Island College come in 6% above the national median of $31,705 for Psychology programs.

With a 11.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Psychology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,500 against $33,694/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #301 ranking among 926 Psychology programs places Rhode Island College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 37% earnings increase from $33,694 to $46,205 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 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

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr

Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr

View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rhode Island College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at Rhode Island College?

At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at Rhode Island College?

The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

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