Providence College vs Roger Williams University (RWU)
When it comes to higher education in Rhode Island, Providence College and Roger Williams University stand out as two distinct and compelling options. Providence College, a private Catholic institution, boasts a lower acceptance rate (67%) compared to Roger Williams University's more accessible 85%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Providence College excelling in the liberal arts and sciences, while Roger Williams University is known for its strengths in business, engineering, and healthcare. Providence College's student body is predominantly White (73%) and Catholic (52%), while Roger Williams University's student population is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students (10%). With Providence College's higher graduation rate (84%) compared to Roger Williams University's 75%, both institutions provide students with the opportunity to succeed and achieve their academic goals. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more, allowing
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![]() Providence College |
![]() Roger Williams University |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Bristol, Rhode Island |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
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 | 92.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 58.0% | 91.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1120 - 1330 | N/A |
ACT range | 26 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 11,129 | 8,163 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,453 | 7,427 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,040 | 1,003 |
Yield rate | 16.1% | 13.5% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $70,948 | $55,774 |
Average net price | $39,566 | $36,537 |
Tuition | $55,040 | $39,264 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,260
Meal plan:
$6,800
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Room/dormitory:
$9,048
Meal plan:
$6,964
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
83.0%
Average amount $30,997 |
100.0%
Average amount $20,225 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,377 |
68.0%
Average amount $3,862 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $24,146 |
25.0%
Average amount $21,353 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,179
Men 45.3% Women 54.7% |
4,207
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
Graduate students |
492
Men 40.4% Women 59.6% |
322
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 89.8% | 85.3% |
International students | 1.7% | 0.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,560 | 2,992 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey Rhode Island | Mississippi Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.0% | 70.3% |
Dropout rate | 2.8% | 4.4% |
Transferred out | 8.2% | 24.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
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