Head-to-head · 2026
Providence College vs Rhode Island School of Design
Compare average net price ($48,523 at Providence College; $50,507 at Rhode Island School of Design), ROI score (4.49 vs 3.37), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($87,054 vs $68,140), and admissions selectivity (50.9% acceptance at Providence College; 18.7% at Rhode Island School of Design) 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 School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.49 ✓ | 3.37 |
| Avg net price | $48,523 ✓ | $50,507 |
| 4-year avg net price | $194,092 ✓ | $202,028 |
| In-state tuition | $63,550 | $62,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $63,550 | $62,688 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $87,054 ✓ | $68,140 |
| Acceptance rate | 50.9% | 18.7% |
| Graduation rate | 85.8% | 88.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 94% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $27,000 |
| Enrollment | 4,229 | 2,084 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1346 | 1473 |
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 School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $28,152 ✓ | $29,135 |
| Family income $30–48k | $21,835 ✓ | $30,233 |
| Family income $48–75k | $25,296 ✓ | $25,872 |
| Family income $75–110k | $33,169 ✓ | $33,893 |
| Family income $110k+ | $56,699 ✓ | $64,493 |
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 School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts | 0.4% | 19.7% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 0.1% | 13.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.6% | 3.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Providence College reports the lower average net price by $1,984 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,936 difference over four years ($194,092 vs $202,028).
Providence College reports $18,914 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($87,054 vs $68,140). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 94% at Providence College and 95% at Rhode Island School of Design. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $27,000, respectively.
3 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.
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Frequently asked
Providence College vs Rhode Island School of Design, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Providence College is cheaper — average net price $48,523 per year vs $50,507 at Rhode Island School of Design. The annual difference of $1,984 adds up to about $7,936 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Providence College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $87,054 vs $68,140 at Rhode Island School of Design. The gap in the federal data is $18,914. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Rhode Island School of Design is more selective at 18.7% acceptance vs 50.9% at Providence 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.