Providence, RI Overview
Providence College, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Catholic institution known for its strong liberal arts education and its commitment to the Dominican tradition. The college's campus features the iconic Slavin Center, a hub for student activities and events.
There are currently 3,959 undergraduates at Providence and the school’s acceptance rate is 53%. The tuition at Providence is $57,928.
Providence is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Providence to help you make an educated decision.
University
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
3,959
Pell Grant 14%
Undergrad Students Over 25 3%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 3%
Percent Male / Female 46% / 54%
Ethnic Diversity at Providence
77% White
10% Hispanic
4% Black
3% Unknown
3% Multiracial
2% International / Non-Citizen
2% Asian / Pacific Islander
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
11:1
Graduation Rate
86%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
40%
40% of graduates
Social Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
6%
6% of graduates
Education
6%
6% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
1%
1% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$76,910
$35,143
$41,767
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$76,910for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Providence is $76,910. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Providence would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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Providence College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Providence need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Providence is 003406 and the CSS Profile Code is 3693.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Pell Grants at Providence College
15% of students at Providence College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Providence College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Providence students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
53%
29
Is Providence test-optional?
Providence College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Providence?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Providence College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Providence?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Providence during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Providence students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Providence, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Providence?
Applying to Providence with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Should I apply Early Action at Providence?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$87,054
Median Debt $27,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $286
Graduation Rate 86%
What is the graduation rate at Providence College?
86% of students who start at Providence College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 28% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Providence College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Providence College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $87,054. This is $36,663 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Providence take out in loans?
Graduates of Providence have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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