RIT vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Rochester 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: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Providence College 11:1.

RIT vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Providence ($39,534 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 9.5% lower than at Providence College ($16,142 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $4,276 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Providence than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $4,276 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Providence College (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($35,077 vs. $31,873).

RIT vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT 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 RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 60 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming RIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Providence (3.47).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 19.2% at Providence.

RIT vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Providence College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Providence graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 75%)

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.