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 Rate
55%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
65
SAT Range
1030-1240
ACT Range
23-28
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”
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.
Alanna
05/14/2019
Providence College was not my first choice school. It wasn’t even my second. But it was my mom’s alma mater, and she was desperate for me to attend. I do remember the moment I changed my mind, though: my mother was taking me to all of her old haunts on campus, and we ran into one of her old professors. Even though it had been 25 years since she had graduated, he remembered her name, and they reminisced for half an hour.
After spending four years at PC, I understand how those long-lasting relationships form. Thanks to small class sizes (my classes ranged from five to thirty-five students, although they can be bigger) and no TAs, the professors are incredibly accessible. There were at least three different occasions that I had dinner at a professor’s house.
The PC family applies to student relationships as well, of course. It's been five years since graduation, and I still talk to my college friends every day. There’s a place for everyone on campus, so whether you’re into sports, theater, or science fiction, you will find extracurriculars—and probably a great group of friends, too.
It is worth noting that Providence College’s Catholic identity is very much alive. Every classroom has a crucifix on the wall. Dominican friars in their distinct white habits stroll along the paths of the gorgeous campus. The chapel holds a 10:00 PM Mass every Sunday to accommodate the schedules of busy students. But while there are many Catholic students, there are also many who aren’t Catholic—or even religious—at all, which leads to a diverse atmosphere.
While PC’s food scene is about what you’d expect from any college, they do have one thing that really stands out. There is an on-campus bar called McPhail’s, but you don’t need to be 21 to go in. And that’s a good thing, because on Wednesday, they serve the best $2 milkshakes you’ll probably ever drink. But seriously, don’t stress about food. There are so many on-campus events with free food that you could eat for a week without ever entering the dining hall (I know, because I did it).
Overall, Providence College is perfect for students who are looking for a campus life without having to walk two miles past 10,000 other students to get to class. It’s great for people who want to party, and for people who want to watch Disney movies with their friends on Friday nights. It is a school that is proud of itself without being snooty, and where you can feel like you are part of something bigger without sacrificing who you are. And it really is more than just a school. It’s a family.
Katy
05/07/2019
The campus is beautiful and everything is so close. Providence feels like a cozy little home. The facility is in good condition and remains very clean all the time. The students are definitely politically active as I'm walking past campus and hear students talking about politics. The classroom sizes couldn't be any better, they are not too big and not too small. Its a good opportunity to have questions during class unlike in a lecture hall where its very inconvenient.
Kennedy
03/12/2019
PC has a bad rep for being a whitewashed privledged school. So many students are completely ignorant to what is going on in the world and unfortunately many are racist, homophobic, etc.
Male students are some of the worst offenders of sexual assault and overall misogyny. The academics were not a problem but the culture at PC was horrific. I regret attending this school.
Matt
11/14/2018
PC is a MESS. Housing is freaking joke. It's pathetic how they house sophomores. Most will live in Aquinas Hall which has been infested with rats, plenty of bugs and has tiny rooms where students are packed in. Most of the other living on campus seems to be fine, especially suites and apartments. The Food at Providence College is a disgrace. Meal plans allow you swipes at Ray dining which serves some of the worst food you will ever eat in your live. The chicken is under cooked, they put laxatives in EVERYTHING, and there are few other options that don't require money. Another very big problem at PC is the professors and advisers who don't seem to care much about their students livelihoods or grades. The education is very good, however, just about every other aspect of the school has issues. The people who go here are alright, you get a lot of rich white bratty type kids but among them you will for sure find plenty of friends you can relate with. Another major issue for PC is the registration system which is basically you wake up at 7:30 AM and try to register, then the website crashes and some students get the classes they want and need while other get screwed. And then you go to ask your adviser for help and they are clueless. The party scene is very overrated. I heard it used to be a lot better but nowadays it is mostly just on campus partying in tightly packed rooms until an RA comes down the hall and shuts it down. For seniors, it is obviously different, given their ability to live off campus (only seniors can live off campus, no one else, another ridiculous aspect of the school). My personal advice- don't come here because by the time you hit sophomore year and you realize that you hate it, you won't be able to leave.
Breanne
05/25/2018
Providence College provided me with a great education and I am grateful for the internship, volunteer, and extracurricular opportunities that were offered here. I am also very grateful for the relationships I formed. However, Providence College is in a "bubble" that it needs to get out of. It is quite literally closed off from the community, therefore "outsiders" are made to feel unwelcome. From the very beginning of freshman year you are warned not to venture out into the community and interact with "locals" because it is not safe. However, I have never felt unsafe off campus. In fact, I felt more unsafe on campus due to the numerous racially motivated incidents that occurred throughout my 4 years. There is very little interracial interactions that occur unless they are intentionally structured, therefore many of the students are ignorant due to the fact that they have never had meaningful conversations with those of other races.
Linnette
04/28/2018
Providence College is my top choice because I trust the environment and want to invest my time earning an education in their welcoming community. Visiting the campus gave me the ability to connect with the current Hispanic students who share the same roots as me. Besides the campus, as a student, I want to be a part of a college that is able to provide the classes and internship opportunities that relate to what I want to do in the future. Being able to go to Providence College will give me different ways to explore my major, Business Administration, through their various internships and alumni connections. Also, this college gives students the opportunity to be involved in the community and always give back. Providence is full of activities and has different places that provide students the freedom to leave campus and explore Rhode Island. When visiting, Providence college makes sure that you feel welcome as soon as you step a foot on their campus. Even if you are not a student at their college, yet they will make sure you feel like you are already a student at their school. Providence College exceeds the expectations of the college experience I am looking for and hope to invest my future education as a high school senior entering college soon.
maryellen
04/19/2018
PC has met all my expectations for a college I would like to attend
Rylei
01/02/2018
Providence College is an amazing school. The value of the education that a Providence student gets over the course of four years is more than worth the cost of tuition. Being a biology major I have been challenged through my academic courses. That being said, there are resources available that allow me to still succeed. I can not imagine attending any other college. I have already made a best friend in my roommate and continue to meet wonderful people.
David
07/28/2017
Providence College is a great school with a lot to offer. I would encourage anyone looking to go to school in the north east to give it a visit. The campus is beautiful and it continues to grow. They have built a new state of the art business building that continues to grow their program. I am very excited for the next couple of years.
Steve
12/20/2016
Providence College is not for everyone, especially the non-social, quiet and yet, PC finds some way to accommodate any individual as well. From the intellectual conversations to cheering our hockey team's win in the NCAA, PC is really excited when it comes to the term "Diverse." Come on down to PC, where the fun and talk are Friariffic. GO FRIARS!!
Jennifer
09/29/2016
I love my school because it has been everything I never imagined it could be. At the end of summer, I was terrified over what my school would be like because I had spent multiple nights scanning posts on Tumblr and reviews on Niche. I was trying to get some glimpse as to what the school was truly like because I could not handle my own made up scenarios of what life would be like there. I arrived a couple days earlier than everyone else in school because of a program that I did and it helped introduce to me the school and meet people ahead of time. It was the best thing I could have done because I met classmates and older students who gave you an clear idea of what school was like. They were like mentors to us in those first few days and they helped us get more comfortable about being who we are. The campus is inviting and I love how everyone opens doors for one another and helps each other out. I don't know how so many nice people exists, but I have been so fortunate in my experience and I am excited about my next four years here. Providence College is an amazing school because everyone treats you as they would want to be treated and the professors are here to help you with anything you need.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Providence College is 55%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.52%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.