College Search
Providence College

Providence College

Providence, RI · City · 4,229 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admission.providence.edu
$48,523
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
87%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$87,054
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
51%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

As the only university in the United States operated by the Dominican Friars, Providence College is a Catholic liberal arts institution renowned for its tight-knit community, active alumni network, and vibrant school spirit centered around Big East athletics. Academically, PC is best known for its top-ranked School of Business and its signature Development of Western Civilization (DWC) program, a rigorous two-year interdisciplinary core curriculum required for all undergraduates. The student experience blends high-energy campus tradition and a strong commitment to community service with the culture and career opportunities of Rhode Island's capital city.

Wikipedia:Providence College is a private Catholic university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1917 by the Dominican Order and the Diocese of Providence, it offers 47 undergraduate majors and 17 graduate programs. In the fall of 2025, it enrolled 4,494 undergraduate students and 496 graduate students for a total enrollment of 4,990 students. In athletics, Providence College competes in NCAA Division I, and is a founding member of the original Big East Conference and Hockey East. It was part of the original six other basketball-centric Catholic colleges which broke off from the original Big East to form the current Big East at the start of the 2013–14 academic year.

Location
Providence, RI, 02918-0001 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PVD · Providence
8 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$63,550
Housing & food (on campus)$17,840
Books & supplies$1,150
Cost of attendance$80,466
Average net price$48,523
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$63,550
Housing & food (on campus)$17,840
Books & supplies$1,150
Cost of attendance$80,466
Average net price$48,523
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$28,152
$30–48k
$21,835
$48–75k
$25,296
$75–110k
$33,169
$110k+
$56,699
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$26,118
First-years who got one110
Source: Providence College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
87%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
83%
Back for yr 2
94%
Transferred
11%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
88% graduated · 11% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$69,326
10 yrs after entry$87,054
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$15.8k–$30k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
51%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1346
R 630–700 · M 620–690
ACT midpoint
29
Comp 29–32 · E 28–34 · M 26–32
SAT middle 50%: 1250–1390
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Early Decision II
Jan 15 2027
binding in 105 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 15 2027
in 105 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · admission.providence.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

Wondering if Providence College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts
How much essays count at Providence College: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Providence College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
From Providence College (admission.providence.edu) · 2026–27 application · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Choose one of two
    • Providence College values each student's willingness to embrace and learn from those with different viewpoints. How will your unique background positively impact others at Providence College?
      250–500 words · Optional
    • Providence College thrives on the energy of those who seek. How will you contribute to our vibrant campus life and intellectual culture in the years ahead?
      250–500 words · Optional
  • Please share more about the experiences, skills, or talents that have led you to want to become a nurse, and how these will contribute to the community at Providence College and to your career as a nurse.
    150–300 words · Optional · Nursing applicants

Quoted from Providence College's own page; answered in the Common App. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 46%Women 54%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
13%
First-gen
15%
Family income
$121,852
Independent
6%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
79%
Hispanic
9%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$69,326
After 10 yrs
$87,054
Finance and Financial Management Services177
Marketing134
Biology, General117
Business Administration, Management and Operations115
Psychology, General112
Political Science and Government69
Health and Medical Administrative Services62
Accounting and Related Services60
Economics53
Special Education and Teaching40
History28
Sociology25
English Language and Literature, General24
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics14
International/Globalization Studies14
Computer Science13
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$353M
Full-time faculty
72%
Faculty salary
$12,190/mo
Teaching spend
$17,553
per student
Federal loans
57%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$6M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Providence College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search