Providence College vs Lafayette College

Providence College and Lafayette College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Providence College, a private Catholic university in Providence, Rhode Island, boasts a 68% acceptance rate and a student body that is predominantly female (60%). Lafayette College, a private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania, has a more selective admissions process with a 33% acceptance rate and a gender distribution that is nearly equal. Both colleges offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at Providence College including Nursing, Biology, and Business Administration, while Lafayette College is known for its strengths in Engineering, Economics, and Government & Law. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these institutions, including graduation rates, financial aid opportunities, and campus life, to determine which college best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

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

Admission
Acceptance rate	40.7%	58.0%
Application fees	$65	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1300 - 1460	1120 - 1330
ACT range	30 - 33	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	28.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	8,262	11,129
Total number of admissions given out	3,366	6,453
Admitted students who chose to enroll	782	1,040
Yield rate	23.2%	16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	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	$75,934	$70,948
Average net price	$38,754	$39,566
Tuition	$55,874	$55,040
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,308 Meal plan: $6,362	Room/dormitory: $9,260 Meal plan: $6,800
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $34,668	83.0% Average amount $30,997
Students receiving federal student loan	26.0% Average amount $4,491	52.0% Average amount $5,377
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,831	10.0% Average amount $24,146

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,725 Men 51.2% Women 48.8%	4,179 Men 45.3% Women 54.7%
Graduate students	N/A	492 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	82.6%	89.8%
International students	7.8%	1.7%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,510	3,560
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Mississippi Connecticut	Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Physical Science Visual & Performing Arts	Business Education Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences History
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.9%	89.0%
Dropout rate	2.5%	2.8%
Transferred out	9.6%	8.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,532 Year 2: $68,379 Year 3: $80,306 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,033 Year 2: $65,238 Year 3: $78,021 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $77,247 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $76,714 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,784 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $76,536 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,714 Year 2: $72,403 Year 3: $75,320 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,927 Year 2: $58,943 Year 3: $72,455 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,229 Year 2: $48,198 Year 3: $60,266 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,408 Year 2: $44,468 Year 3: $57,092 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,680 Year 2: $32,391 Year 3: $50,156 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,170 Year 3: $48,201	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 key differences in academic focus between Providence College and Lafayette College?

Providence College, rooted in its Dominican tradition, emphasizes a strong liberal arts curriculum with a focus on philosophy, theology, and the humanities. Lafayette College, while also offering a strong liberal arts education, is known for its robust engineering and science programs, along with a commitment to undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines. Lafayette also has a stronger emphasis on pre-professional programs.
How does the campus environment differ between Providence College and Lafayette College?

Providence College boasts a close-knit, traditional campus environment with a strong sense of community, often characterized by its Catholic identity and emphasis on campus traditions. Lafayette College offers a more diverse and slightly less religiously-focused campus, with a blend of historic and modern architecture. Lafayette's campus is located in a more urban setting compared to Providence College.
What are the strengths of the student life experience at Providence College and Lafayette College?

Providence College is known for its vibrant campus life, with a strong emphasis on athletics (especially basketball), Greek life, and a close-knit community. Lafayette College offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including strong programs in athletics, arts, and student government. Lafayette also provides more opportunities for students to engage with the surrounding community through internships and volunteer work.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity compare between Providence College and Lafayette College?

Both colleges are considered selective, but Lafayette College generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate and higher average SAT/ACT scores than Providence College. Admission requirements are similar, including high school transcripts, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies are common), letters of recommendation, and essays. Both schools consider a student's overall profile, including academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and demonstrated interest.
What is the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and room and board, at Providence College and Lafayette College?

The cost of attendance at both Providence College and Lafayette College is comparable, with tuition, fees, and room and board being relatively similar. However, financial aid packages and scholarships can vary significantly. It's recommended to check the specific net cost calculators on each college's website to get a personalized estimate based on your family's financial situation.
How do the career services and post-graduate outcomes compare at Providence College and Lafayette College?

Both colleges offer robust career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and graduate school applications. Lafayette College, with its strong engineering and science programs, often sees a higher percentage of graduates entering STEM fields. Providence College graduates often pursue careers in business, education, and the humanities. Both schools have strong alumni networks that support career development.
What are the athletic programs like at Providence College and Lafayette College?

Providence College is known for its Division I athletic programs, particularly in basketball, which enjoys significant national recognition. Lafayette College also competes in Division I athletics, with a strong presence in football and other sports. Both schools offer a wide range of varsity and club sports, providing opportunities for students to participate in competitive athletics.
How does the location of each college impact the student experience?

Providence College is located in Providence, Rhode Island, offering access to a vibrant city with cultural attractions and a growing job market. Lafayette College is situated in Easton, Pennsylvania, a smaller city with access to the larger metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. Both locations provide opportunities for internships, cultural experiences, and weekend trips.
What is the religious affiliation of Providence College and how does it affect the student experience?

Providence College is a Catholic institution founded by the Dominican Order. While the college welcomes students of all faiths, its Catholic identity is central to its mission and values. This is reflected in the curriculum, campus ministry, and the emphasis on ethical and moral development. Lafayette College is non-denominational.
Which college is better for students interested in engineering?

Lafayette College is generally considered the stronger choice for students specifically interested in engineering. It has a well-established engineering program with a variety of specializations and a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and undergraduate research. While Providence College does not have an engineering program, it does offer pre-engineering programs.

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