Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Providence, Rhode Island
48.7% Acceptance Rate
Providence College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
48.7%Acceptance Rate
3.47Avg GPA
1342Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$76,667Annual Cost
$87,054Grad Salary
13.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
48.7%
Avg GPA
3.47
Avg SAT
1342
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1250–1400
ACT Middle 50%
28–32
Need-Based Aid
13.2% receive Pell
Providence College Providence College, founded in 1917 in Rhode Island, is a prestigious private Catholic university sponsored by the Dominican Order. The 105-acre campus offers comprehensive programs through four schools, with particular strengths in business, humanities, and theology. Providence maintains a 11:1 student-faculty ratio and is known for its distinctive Development of Western Civilization program. Campus landmarks include the new Ruane Center for the Humanities and the renovated Slavin Center. The college's athletic teams, the Friars, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Big East Conference.
Providence takes pride in its Dominican tradition of truth-seeking and commitment to service. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and ethical reasoning across disciplines. Campus life includes over 100 student organizations and extensive community engagement opportunities. Recent additions include the new School of Business building and upgraded science facilities. Providence's combination of academic excellence, Catholic identity, and beautiful campus creates a transformative educational experience.
Providence College Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 48.7%, Providence College rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What Providence College Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 48.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.02
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Providence College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Providence College is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 87 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: April 1
Early Decision II
January 15
Transfer
June 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Providence College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Providence College is 3.47. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.17–3.47 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.67–3.87.Providence College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.07 – 3.26
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.06
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The nation's only college founded and administered by the Dominican friars; more than 40 Dominicans live on campus.
- Supplemental essay is optional (not required) alongside the Common App; test-optional review as well.
- One letter of recommendation required (high school counselor or college advisor); additional letters invited but not mandatory.
- $70 application fee, waived for documented financial hardship; deadline to switch test-score preference is February 1.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Providence College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Providence College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Providence College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Providence College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Providence College Without SAT or ACT?
Providence College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Providence College Average SAT Score: 1342
The average SAT score of admitted students at Providence College is 1342 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1342 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1400 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Providence College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1250, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Providence College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 660 | 620 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 665 | 630 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1342 | 1250 | 1400 |
Below 1250, you're behind most admitted students; at 1400 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into Providence College with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Providence College's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Providence College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Providence College is 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
An average of 30 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 31 | 28 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 32 |
Can I get into Providence College with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Providence College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Providence College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Providence College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Providence College rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Don't skip the optional supplemental essay
With holistic, test-optional review, this essay is real space to differentiate yourself. Skipping it just because it's not required leaves an opportunity on the table.
One strong counselor letter is enough
Only one letter of recommendation is required, from your high school counselor or college advisor. Additional letters are invited, not required - don't overload the file if your counselor's letter is already strong.
Ground faith or values content in PC's actual Dominican identity
This is the only U.S. college founded and led by Dominican friars. Connect your essay to that specific institutional identity rather than generic "values-based education" language.
Know you can change your testing plan until February 1
PC lets you switch between submitting scores and going test-optional up until that date - your initial choice isn't locked in early.
Expert Insight:
Applicants treat the "optional" supplemental essay as low-priority busywork and submit something thin or generic. In a test-optional, holistic review, that essay is one of the few places to show genuine fit with PC's specific Catholic Dominican mission - a weak one wastes real differentiation space.
Providence College Profile
Full Name
Providence College
City
Providence
State
Rhode Island
ZIP Code
02918-0001
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Providence College Degree Worth It?
Providence College offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $83,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.74%.
How much does a degree from Providence College Cost?
The sticker price is $76,667/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
13.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 55.1% take federal loans at Providence College. File your FAFSA early and list Providence College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Providence College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $87,054. That's about 114% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Providence College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Providence College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Providence College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Providence College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Providence College Admissions
Providence College graduates typically earn around $87,054 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $76,667 a year, Providence College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Providence College's Pell Grant rate of 13.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 48.7%, Providence College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Providence College average a 3.47 GPA.
Providence College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.17 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.07, Providence College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Providence College — aim above 1342, ideally within the 1250–1400 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Providence College is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 70. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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