Princeton vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Providence College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Providence College 11:1.

Princeton vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Providence ($15,313 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 11.9% lower than at Princeton University ($17,840 vs. $20,250).
• Providence College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $862 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Providence than at Princeton University (about $862 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Princeton University (83% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 115.6% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($68,727 vs. $31,873).

Princeton vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 230 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Princeton vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $45,900 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($77 vs. $279).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.