At $45,538/yr net price, Providence College graduates earn $87,054/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $53,054/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $45,538 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $182,152 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $87,054/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$53,054/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 87.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,070/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,408/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,086/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,480/yr |
| $110,001+ | $53,195/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $68,219 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,198 | $20,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $64,791 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $62,260 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $53,810 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $51,722 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $49,899 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $47,118 |
The Risk Factor
87.9% of students at Providence College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Providence College gives you a strong financial return if you land in the right major, but the sticker price makes that outcome conditional. Median earnings ten years out sit well above the debt you carry to get there, and with an 88% graduation rate and 91% retention, most people who start actually finish and start earning. That combination is the core reason the numbers work here.
Your major decides everything. Computer science pays the most, followed by economics and accounting, and those three clear the debt load comfortably. Finance and mathematics still pay, but the gap between computer science and mathematics is real money over a career. Providence is a business-and-quant school by its payoff data, so if you come for a program outside those lanes, the earnings picture is unproven here.
The risk is the price. At full freight, this is one of the more expensive private options in New England, and the debt you take on is only worth it if you graduate into one of the higher-paying fields above. Borrow $27,000 for a degree that leads to a lower-paying career and the math stops working.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families and punish the middle. If your family earns under $48k, you pay less than half the sticker price. The $48-75k tier stays affordable, but the jump at $75-110k is steep, and above $110k you pay close to full price. Families in that upper-middle band get the worst deal relative to income.
Providence fits you if you're targeting finance, accounting, economics, or computer science, and especially if your family income falls under $75k. If you're paying full price for a lower-earning major, look at cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Providence College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Providence College's $45,538 annual net price is high for graduates earning $87,054 after 10 years. The return on investment is weaker than many state schools and comparable private colleges.
What Providence College programs have the best job prospects?
Educational Administration leads Providence College earnings at $74,576, followed by Computer Science at $68,219. Most other programs, including popular business majors, start below $66,000.
How much debt do Providence College students typically graduate with?
Providence College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given typical starting salaries. The 88% graduation rate means most students finish their degrees.
Does Providence College provide enough financial aid to make it affordable?
With a $45,538 net price after aid, Providence College remains expensive for most families. Financial aid helps but doesn't bring costs down to competitive levels with public alternatives.