Providence College
Providence College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Providence College at a Glance
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.
1917
109 years old
$321M
$321 million (2023)
4,816
4,363 undergrad · 688 grad
310
105 acres
Identity
Is Providence College Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Providence College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $87,054 — 62% above average — while paying $48,523/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
With a 87% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Providence College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Providence College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #12 of 15 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #3 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 69 | $22,453 | $89,070 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | University of San Diego | 59 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| #6 | St Olaf College | 57 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| #12 | Providence College | 39 | $48,523 | $87,054 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Providence College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Providence College
The highest-earning program at Providence College is Economics at $59,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International/Global Studies at $28,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Providence College earns $59,800, while a International/Global Studies graduate earns $28,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for International/Global Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $48,523/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $59,800 | $59,800 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,800 | $59,800 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,200 | $53,200 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,900 | $47,900 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $44,100 | $44,100 | $27,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $42,200 | $42,200 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,600 | $40,600 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,700 | $39,700 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $38,900 | $38,900 | $27,000 |
| History | $38,800 | $38,800 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $36,500 | $36,500 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $34,800 | $34,800 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in RI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Providence, RI
- Student Body
- 4,229 students
- Admission Rate
- 51%
- Graduation Rate
- 87%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $48,523
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $87,054
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000