Admit rate has ranged 47%–58% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican institution where intellectual rigor meets tight-knit community—think spirited basketball games, a nationally recognized accountancy program, and a 97% post-grad success rate. With a 50% acceptance rate and an average SAT around 1300, it's selective but not cutthroat, attracting students who thrive in its liberal arts core and spirited campus life.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
4,229
In-state tuition
$63,550
Out-of-state tuition
$63,550
Acceptance Rate
49.9%
Need-Based Aid Avg
$36,950
Total Cost (2024-25)
$84,430
4-Year Graduation Rate
86%
Student Body Diversity
16% students of color
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Post-Grad Success (6 Months)
97% employed/enrolled
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$87,054
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.8×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
86%
First-year retention
94%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
27%
First-generation share
15%
Endowment / student
$83,429
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$68,219
Economics$64,791
Accounting and Related Services$62,260
Finance and Financial Management Services$55,964
Mathematics$53,810
Business Administration, Management and Operations$51,722
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
0.95
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
52.9"
Annual snow
27.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
447
Scholarly works
32,991
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
46%
From bottom quintile
2%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Providence College?
Providence College's acceptance rate is approximately 51% (Providence, RI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Providence College?
Admitted students at Providence College typically score 1250–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Providence College cost?
At Providence College, the average net price (after aid) is about $48,523 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Providence College?
Providence College enrolls approximately 4,229 undergraduate students.
Where is Providence College located?
Providence College is located in Providence, RI.
Admissions
Providence College is somewhat selective, admitting roughly half of its applicants—a 49.9% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. for the most recent cycle, with 70.9% applying Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.. Middle 50% SAT scores range from 1100–1310 (EBRW: 655, Math: 653), while ACT averages hover around 30. The gender split leans slightly female (57%), and 16% of students identify as people of color. Notably, 28% of admitted students had a 4.0 GPA or higher.
PC’s accountancy program is a standout, praised for blending technical rigor with ethical grounding. The liberal arts core—rooted in its Catholic-Dominican identity—requires theology and philosophy courses, while popular majors include education (5%), history (3%), and English (2%). Small classes (student reviews highlight professors who are 'passionate and supportive') and a 4-year graduation rate of 86% reflect its focus on undergraduate teaching. For aspiring teachers, PC offers bachelor’s-to-certification tracks in subjects like biology and chemistry.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Marketing
$49,899
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$45,383
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus life orbits around tradition and community: 70% of students live on campus, and the Dominican identity fuels service-oriented programs. Friars basketball games are a rallying point (the team’s Big East pedigree stokes school spirit), while Instagram feeds (@pcfriarlife) showcase events like dorm competitions and guest lectures. Reviews note a ‘work-hard, play-hard’ vibe, with Greek life absent but plenty of club options. Safety ratings are solid, and Providence’s indie music and food scenes—just minutes away—add off-campus flavor.
97% of the Class of 2023 landed jobs or graduate school spots within six months—with 91% working in their desired field. Median earnings one year out are $36,427, and the average debt at graduation is $27,000 (below the national average). Alumni often stay regional, with strong networks in education, finance, and healthcare. Graduate school pathways are robust, especially for those pursuing law or medicine.
Total sticker price hits $84,430 (tuition: $65,960; room/board: $18,470), but 33% of admits receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. averaging $36,950. Merit scholarships—awarded for academic performance—help offset costs, with $59.6 million distributed annually. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests many families pay significantly less, though middle-income students may still face gaps.
Providence College marries tight-knit community with academic punch—its accountancy program and 4-year graduation rate rival larger universities, while its Dominican identity fosters a values-driven campus. The 50% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. makes it accessible for strong students without the Ivy League frenzy, and post-grad outcomes (97% employed/enrolled) validate its ROI. For those craving spirited basketball, professor accessibility, and a liberal arts core that doesn’t skimp on practicality, PC delivers.
Providence College logo · sourceVisit Opportunities | Admission | Providence College · sourceCampus Map and Directions – Office of College Events at Providence College · sourceProvidence College - Wikipedia · source
