Providence, RI · Private University
Is Providence College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$87,054
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$60,848
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$60,848
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$243,392
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.43x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
87.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$45,538
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Providence College graduates earn $42,054 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Providence College ranked by graduate earnings
43 graduates
29 graduates
179 graduates
137 graduates
74 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Providence College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Providence College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $90,036) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $50,679) is $39,357/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $90,036 | 1.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $83,682 | 1.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,063 | 1.4x |
| Marketing | $76,266 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $74,656 | 1.2x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $72,871 | 1.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,831 | 1.2x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $69,195 | 1.1x |
| History | $65,233 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $64,080 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $61,041 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $58,988 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $58,954 | 1.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $55,130 | 0.9x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $50,697 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest | $50,679 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Providence College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $87,054 10 years after starting — $42,054 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.