Providence College vs Marist

Providence College and Marist College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Providence College, a private Catholic university in Rhode Island, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a smaller student body compared to Marist College, a private liberal arts college in New York. While Providence College excels in nursing and biology, Marist College shines in communication and business. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique offerings and make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Marist College	Providence College
Overview
Location	Poughkeepsie, New York	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 and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.9%	58.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1196 - 1360	1120 - 1330
ACT range	26 - 29	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	21.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	11,583	11,129
Total number of admissions given out	6,944	6,453
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,272	1,040
Yield rate	18.3%	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)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$65,235	$70,948
Average net price	$37,868	$39,566
Tuition	$42,650	$55,040
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,450 Meal plan: $6,200	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)	94.0% Average amount $22,531	83.0% Average amount $30,997
Students receiving federal student loan	56.0% Average amount $5,322	52.0% Average amount $5,377
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $22,293	10.0% Average amount $24,146

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,510 Men 42.6% Women 57.4%	4,179 Men 45.3% Women 54.7%
Graduate students	886 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%	492 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	56.2%	89.8%
International students	2.5%	1.7%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,482	3,560
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut Mississippi Maryland	Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences Psychology	Business Education Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences History
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.7%	89.0%
Dropout rate	3.9%	2.8%
Transferred out	14.1%	8.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,291 Year 2: $88,506 Year 3: $98,268 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,698 Year 2: $79,389 Year 3: $89,521 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,483 Year 2: $73,769 Year 3: $81,980 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,648 Year 2: $72,509 Year 3: $76,229 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,669 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,443 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,088 Year 2: $72,369 Year 3: $71,731 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,007 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $70,125 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,869 Year 2: $51,464 Year 3: $67,228 Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,004 Year 2: $49,344 Year 3: $62,054 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,582 Year 2: $51,829 Year 3: $55,551	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 main differences between Providence College and Marist College?

Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican-run institution with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and a core curriculum. Marist College, while also having a strong liberal arts foundation, is independent and known for its career-oriented programs, particularly in communications, business, and technology. Providence is located in a city environment, while Marist offers a more suburban setting along the Hudson River.
How do the academic reputations of Providence College and Marist College compare?

Both colleges have solid academic reputations. Providence College is particularly well-regarded for its humanities, social sciences, and business programs. Marist College is known for its strong programs in communications, business, and technology, often emphasizing practical application and experiential learning. Both institutions attract academically capable students.
What is the campus environment like at Providence College versus Marist College?

Providence College offers a traditional college experience with a strong sense of community fostered by its Catholic identity and active student life. The campus is located within the city of Providence, providing access to urban amenities. Marist College provides a more suburban setting with scenic views of the Hudson River. It also has a strong sense of community, but may appeal to students seeking a slightly less urban environment.
How do the costs of attending Providence College and Marist College compare?

The cost of attendance at both Providence College and Marist College is relatively similar, placing them in the range of private institutions. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each college's website, as these figures can change annually. Also, investigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities at both institutions, as these can significantly impact the net cost of attendance.
What types of students typically thrive at Providence College and Marist College?

Providence College tends to attract students who appreciate a strong liberal arts foundation, a close-knit community, and a Catholic intellectual tradition. Students who are active in campus life and value a well-rounded education often thrive here. Marist College appeals to students seeking career-focused programs, particularly in communications, business, and technology, and who appreciate a beautiful campus setting with access to internships and experiential learning opportunities.
What are the most popular majors at Providence College and Marist College?

At Providence College, popular majors include Business Administration, Political Science, Biology, and Psychology. At Marist College, popular majors include Communication, Business, Computer Science, and Fashion Merchandising.
How do the athletic programs at Providence College and Marist College compare?

Providence College is a Division I school, with a strong emphasis on basketball and hockey. They compete in the Big East Conference. Marist College is also a Division I school, competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). While they offer a variety of sports, they are particularly known for their basketball and rowing programs. If athletics are a major factor, consider the specific sports you're interested in and the level of competition at each school.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Providence College and Marist College?

Both Providence College and Marist College offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Marist College, due to its location near New York City, often emphasizes internship opportunities in the city. Providence College also provides internship opportunities, leveraging its location in a state capital and its alumni network.
How does the location of Providence College and Marist College affect student life?

Providence College's location in the city of Providence provides students with access to a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse dining options, and internship opportunities. Marist College's location in Poughkeepsie, NY, offers a more suburban environment with access to the Hudson River and nearby hiking trails. While Poughkeepsie is not as large as Providence, it still provides students with local amenities and is within reasonable distance of New York City for weekend trips and internships.
What is the student-faculty ratio like at Providence College and Marist College?

Both Providence College and Marist College boast relatively low student-faculty ratios, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. You can find the exact ratios on each college's website, but generally, both institutions prioritize small class sizes and accessible faculty.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Marist

Chapman University