MIT vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Providence College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Providence College 11:1.

MIT vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Providence? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Providence ($20,996 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 12% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($17,840 vs. $20,280).
• Providence College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $1,154 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Providence than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $1,154 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (83% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 93.7% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($61,734 vs. $31,873).

MIT vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT or Providence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Providence and MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 230 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming MIT students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Providence - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 19.2% at Providence.

MIT vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Providence? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $74,100 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $9,684 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($17,316 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($179 vs. $279).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.