Head-to-head · 2026
Providence College vs Rhode Island College
Compare average net price ($48,523 at Providence College; $9,478 at Rhode Island College), ROI score (4.49 vs 14.85), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($87,054 vs $56,318), and admissions selectivity (50.9% acceptance at Providence College; 91.8% at Rhode Island College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Providence College | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.49 | 14.85 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $48,523 | $9,478 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $194,092 | $37,912 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $63,550 | $11,300 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $63,550 | $27,299 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $87,054 ✓ | $56,318 |
| Acceptance rate | 50.9% | 91.8% |
| Graduation rate | 85.8% ✓ | 48.1% |
| Retention rate | 94% ✓ | 73.3% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,229 | 5,049 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1346 | 990 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Providence College | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $28,152 | $6,378 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $21,835 | $6,989 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $25,296 | $8,701 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $33,169 | $12,809 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $56,699 | $15,681 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Providence College | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 13.6% | 4.5% |
| Psychology, General | 6.9% | 9.2% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 13.9% | 1.2% |
| Social Work | 1.1% | 11.5% |
| Marketing | 6.9% | 1.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.5% | 3.9% |
| Biology, General | 6.1% | 1.8% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 5% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Rhode Island College reports the lower average net price by $39,045 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $156,180 difference over four years ($37,912 vs $194,092).
Providence College reports $30,736 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($87,054 vs $56,318). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 94% at Providence College and 73.3% at Rhode Island College. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Providence College vs Rhode Island College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Rhode Island College is cheaper — average net price $9,478 per year vs $48,523 at Providence College. The annual difference of $39,045 adds up to about $156,180 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Providence College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $87,054 vs $56,318 at Rhode Island College. The gap in the federal data is $30,736. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Providence College is more selective at 50.9% acceptance vs 91.8% at Rhode Island College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.