Providence College vs Bentley University

Providence College and Bentley University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Providence College, a private Catholic university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (67%) compared to Bentley University's (73%). While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, Providence College excels in the liberal arts and sciences, while Bentley University emphasizes business and technology. Providence College's student body is predominantly female (56%), while Bentley University's is more evenly balanced (49% female, 51% male). Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Providence College's at 86% and Bentley University's at 87%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bentley University	Providence College
Overview
Location	Waltham, Massachusetts	Providence, Rhode Island
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	60.9%	58.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $150	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1240 - 1413	1120 - 1330
ACT range	28 - 32	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	27.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	9,311	11,129
Total number of admissions given out	5,674	6,453
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,019	1,040
Yield rate	18.0%	16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$75,615	$70,948
Average net price	$41,708	$39,566
Tuition	$54,910	$55,040
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $11,000 Meal plan: $7,130	Room/dormitory: $9,260 Meal plan: $6,800
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	77.0% Average amount $30,491	83.0% Average amount $30,997
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,402	52.0% Average amount $5,377
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $21,755	10.0% Average amount $24,146

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,996 Men 60.6% Women 39.4%	4,179 Men 45.3% Women 54.7%
Graduate students	1,162 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	492 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	89.8%
International students	16.8%	1.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,350	3,560
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi Connecticut New York New Jersey New Hampshire	Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Liberal Arts Multidisciplinary Studies Computer and Information Science Mathematics and Statistics	Business Education Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences History
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	89.0%
Dropout rate	4.0%	2.8%
Transferred out	7.9%	8.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Human Computer Interaction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,979 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $127,918 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,349 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $97,271 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,364 Year 2: $77,039 Year 3: $94,863 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,051 Year 2: $89,968 Year 3: $94,192 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $81,111 Year 3: $93,567 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,445 Year 2: $79,653 Year 3: $93,407 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,949 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $89,245 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $83,352 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,955 Year 2: $68,147 Year 3: $80,368 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,442 Year 2: $64,253 Year 3: $79,263	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,405 Year 2: $64,791 Year 3: $80,089 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,824 Year 2: $65,198 Year 3: $79,036 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,761 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $75,198 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,900 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $70,359 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,440 Year 2: $49,899 Year 3: $63,339 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,956 Year 2: $51,722 Year 3: $60,804 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,573 Year 2: $44,943 Year 3: $57,894 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,024 Year 2: $45,383 Year 3: $55,748 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,583 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $53,893 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,317 Year 2: $44,649 Year 3: $52,717

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Providence College and Bentley University?

Providence College offers a liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, alongside pre-professional programs. Bentley University, on the other hand, is primarily focused on business education, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate business programs, with a smaller liberal arts component integrated into the curriculum.
How do the campus cultures differ between Providence College and Bentley University?

Providence College has a strong sense of community fostered by its Catholic and Dominican tradition. It's known for its active student life, strong school spirit, and emphasis on service and ethical leadership. Bentley University's campus culture is more career-focused and driven by professional development. While it also has a vibrant student life, the emphasis is often on networking, internships, and preparing for the business world.
What is the size difference between Providence College and Bentley University?

Providence College is slightly larger than Bentley University. Providence College typically has around 4,300 undergraduate students, while Bentley University has approximately 4,200. This difference in size can influence the overall feel of the campus and the student-to-faculty ratio.
How do the locations of Providence College and Bentley University compare?

Providence College is located in Providence, Rhode Island, offering a blend of a college-town atmosphere with access to a larger city's cultural and entertainment options. Bentley University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. This provides students with easy access to Boston's numerous internship and job opportunities, as well as its cultural attractions.
What types of academic programs are particularly strong at each institution?

Providence College is known for its strong programs in political science, history, English, and theology, as well as its business programs. Bentley University excels in all areas of business, including accounting, finance, marketing, and information technology. Their programs are highly ranked and career-oriented.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Providence College and Bentley University?

Both Providence College and Bentley University offer comprehensive career services. However, Bentley University's career services are heavily geared towards business-related fields, with strong connections to companies in the Boston area. Providence College provides career services across a broader range of industries, reflecting its liberal arts focus, and has a strong alumni network that supports students in various fields.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Providence College and Bentley University?

The cost of attendance at both Providence College and Bentley University is relatively similar, placing them among the more expensive private institutions. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each school's website, as these figures can change annually. Consider also the availability of financial aid and scholarships at each institution.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Providence College and Bentley University?

Both Providence College and Bentley University boast relatively low student-faculty ratios, allowing for more personalized attention and interaction with professors. Providence College typically has a student-faculty ratio of around 12:1, while Bentley University's is around 11:1. This close interaction can be beneficial for students seeking mentorship and guidance.
What are the athletic programs like at Providence College and Bentley University?

Providence College is a Division I school, with a strong emphasis on basketball and hockey. It competes in the Big East Conference. Bentley University is a Division II school, with a wide range of athletic programs, including hockey, basketball, and football. While both offer robust athletic programs, Providence College's Division I status brings a higher level of competition and visibility in certain sports.
If I'm interested in a specific career path, which school might be a better fit?

If you are certain about pursuing a career in business, Bentley University is likely the better choice due to its specialized curriculum and strong industry connections. If you are interested in exploring a broader range of academic disciplines and career options, or if you are drawn to fields like law, medicine, education, or public service, Providence College's liberal arts foundation may be more suitable.

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