About Providence College

Founded in 1917, Providence College. is a Private college. Located in Rhode Island, which is a city setting in Rhode Island, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 4,034 full time undergraduate students, and 534 full time graduate students.

The Providence College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 298 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Providence College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate55%
Application Deadline
Application Fee65
SAT Range1030-1240
ACT Range23-28

Admissions at PC are considered Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

95% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 71% were in the top quarter, and 40% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Providence College.

15%
“We”re apathetic”
40%
“We know about current events and vote”
43%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
15%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
12%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
17%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
45%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
40%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
15%
“It”s not really our thing”
40%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
43%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
2%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
15%
“Available in class”
42%
“They keep regular office hours”
40%
“They”re always available”
95%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
2%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
3%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
5%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
25%
“We only party on weekends”
68%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
55%
“There might be people who do”
37%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
15%
“We”re apathetic”
40%
“We know about current events and vote”
43%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
15%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
12%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
17%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
45%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
40%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
15%
“It”s not really our thing”
40%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
43%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
2%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
15%
“Available in class”
42%
“They keep regular office hours”
40%
“They”re always available”
95%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
2%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
3%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
5%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
25%
“We only party on weekends”
68%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
55%
“There might be people who do”
37%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    46 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    29 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    47 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    47 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    47 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 51 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    47 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    47 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    47 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

Providence College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Providence College?

15 Students rated Providence College

Ashley - 08/20/2022

Great place to go to school if you want to party but it didn’t provide value for education and networking for work. The administration and most professors were very unhelpful in providing guidance for navigating any programs and post-college networks. I sure learned how to hold my liquor though!

Ryan - 04/29/2020

Providence College is full of rich, preppy, white kids who all have connections from previous their previous schools. Only a select few amount of professors genuinely understand that their class is not the only class that students take so they don't dump homework on you. The other 99% of professors seem to believe that their class is the most important class you will ever take and have no problem loading you up with school work. For example I am writing this the week before finals, with five finals scheduled for next week, and I had 4 exams this week as well as homework due next week which we won't even meet for class. If you went to a public high school and don't know the Bible practically word for word you can guarantee that you will get no higher than a C in your Western Civ. Also I would like to give a special shoutout to the tour guide that told me Civ was a one year class and that was it, only for me to find out that I would be taking Civ again in my sophomore year. This school is nowhere near worth money it charges and I honestly hope it burns to the ground.

cait - 08/31/2019

PC is a great school! The class sizes are small which is perfect because the classes are more hands on. Each student gets the amount of attention they need to learn that most. As for athletics, the sporting events are awesome to watch and to follow on through each season! I love PC!

V - 05/31/2019

Just not my college that I would've have gone for but since it was the only college that accepted me and was a good distance from home, why not? I definitely experience my "college experiment" first year and oh boy can I say it is not as exciting as people make it out to be. Then I realized that maybe this school is just not for me and that is why it was as fulfilling as I anticipated. I did make a lot of new friends and was able to get around the new city but to be quite honest, this college just isn't for me but it was worth an experience.

Providence College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Providence College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Providence College is 55%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The school offers a great sense of community, and when there is a strong sense of community you are able to excel in your academics and extra circular activities. Friars are Family.

    Read all 48 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are very friendly, outgoing, smart, academically motivated, and willing to help others whenever needed.

    Read all 47 answers

  4. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Very little diversity and very wealthy students!

    Read all 47 answers

  5. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If I could go back in time, there are many things I would do differently as I transitioned to college life. To start with, I would have become involved more freshman year. While this time can be strange and overwhelming, it is the perfect time to try out new things. After freshman year, many friendships have been established and groups have been made. Next, I would also tell myself to stop worrying so much about what others thought. Often I didn't try out for a team or join a club because of a fear of failure. I missed out on some great opportunities because of that fear. In addition, I would have worked harder on my academics my first two semesters. Studying for college exams and writing college essays was very different than my high school work load. I should have taken the extra time to make a study schedule and made plans with people in my classes to get together to review class material. Freshman year can be all about the social aspect. While that can be nice at times, it is important to remember what you are there to do.

    Read all 45 answers

  6. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    It's a little preppy, but the lack of diversity is extremely accurate.

    Read all 45 answers

  7. What are the academics like at your school?

    PC's students take four classes per semester their first two years and five classes per semester the final two years. Freshman and sophomores must take Development Of Western Civilization, known as just CIV, for their first 4 semesters at PC. This class is 50 minutes, everyday, worth 5 credits. Some sections are easy and could make if seem like a student only has 3 classes but other sections are extremely hard and can be a real GPA killer since it is weighted as close to 2 classes. The course is a great idea, but in many cases, students are just forced to memorize facts and spit them out on an exam. Additionally, each student needs to take a certain number of classes in theology, philosophy, art and science. I think these "core classes" are good for students because it gives them a well-rounded education.

    Read all 44 answers

  8. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Students like to stay involved at Providence College. The two biggest clubs on campus are the Board of Programmers and Friars Club. These two groups coordinate the events on campus and give tours to prospective students, respectively. There are many other groups which people can get involved with as well as intramural sports. Many students would probably agree that they are happy with the fact that PC does not have Greek life. Greek life segregates a lot of campuses but because PC doesn't have sororities and fraternities, everyone can be friends with everyone else. PC is a big bar school, whether you are walking from campus or taking the bus downtown. House parties are also big at Providence and you can always find a "late-night" to party even after the bars close.

    Read all 41 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Although we may be judged because we are a strict school because we're catholic, we still manage to have the time of our lives in a safe way a enjoyab;e by all.

    Read all 32 answers

  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Providence College is school where comfortability and automatically sensed.

    Read all 13 answers

  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How much spending money I would need

    Read all 11 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    I have enjoyed my classes and I really feel that my professors are really striving to teach everything they can about that particular class without overwhelming us. The classes are interesting and so are the professors. The professors I have had have been really engaging and that keeps me engaged. Even if I don't like the subject it becomes interesting because the teacher loves what they do.

    Read all 9 answers

  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The education I received at Providence College was excellent. I would recommend that someone who is willing to work hard and also get involved in clubs and organizations would be successful at PC. The school is rather small, which allows students to get to know their teachers. It is also great for people who did not get a chance to become involved in high school and would like to do so in college. The college has a strong sense of community which would be ideal for someone willing to take on leadership roles.

    Read all 8 answers

  14. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    There really isn't anything too bad about Providence College. The worst thing I would say would be parking and off campus housing. PC is in Providence, so off campus housing isn't very safe and isn't in the best condition. Parking is very limited on campus as well, and when guests come it is hard to find them someplace to park.

    Read all 7 answers

  15. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for being Catholic. We have a strong Dominican foundation here, and it is reflected in the required undergraduate coursework as well as the number of on-campus religious locations and many of the volunteer organizations and clubs (such as PC for Life, a pro-life group on campus).

    Read all 6 answers

  16. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    I think the most frustrating thing for me was the cost of attendance. In hindsight I should have sought out a school where I received more financial assistance, because I am now suffering through debt. However, Providence has a very sound reputation in the Northeast, where I currently live. I believe this will eventually outweigh the cost of attendance at PC, but for now it is definitely frustrating.

    Read all 5 answers

  17. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who enjoys making friends and having a positive academic experience.

    Read all 4 answers

  18. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The experience

    Read all 4 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotype at our school is that we are all white, rich kids. This stereotype is not accurate because I myself am not wealthy and I wasn't born in this country. Our school also works very hard to accept diversity at our school and has made major efforts to increase the diversity at this school to get rid of the stereotype.

    Read all 3 answers

Student Body

Students

55%

female

45%

male

4,034

Total Undergrad Enrollment

534

Total Grad Students

89%

Out-Of-State

9%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

118

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

65%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
9%
% White or Caucasian
76%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

78% of students attending Providence College receive some sort of financial aid. 14% were awarded federal grants. While 52% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$46,970

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$940

Books and Supplies

$13,790

Room and Board

61,700

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$19,510
$30 - $48K
$21,129
$48 - $75K
$30,582
$75 - $110K
$32,915
$110K & UP
$45,128

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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