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#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

Providence Admission Requirements

Providence, Rhode Island

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Your chances of getting into Providence College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

58%
Admission Difficulty for Providence College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Providence is 58%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in Rhode Island.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Providence and can you get accepted?

Providence is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 6,453 out of the 11,129 who applied were admitted.

The school has difficult admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 28 percent on standardized admission tests. Providence College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.47. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Providence?

58% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Providence College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.47 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1230 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Providence GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.47

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Providence College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Providence are to have around a 3.47 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Providence accepts 58% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Providence is 3.47 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in Rhode Island for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Providence is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Providence College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 1.25% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.21% Good
3.50 to 3.74 25.1% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 28.08% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 16.15% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.73% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.48% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Providence SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Providence College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 43% of students submitted SAT scores and 11% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1120-1330

Applicants Submitting SAT 

43%
SAT Scores for Providence College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 550
Composite 25th Percentile 1120
SAT Scores for Providence College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1330
Average SAT Score 1230

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Providence College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Providence is 1230 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1120-1330. Students who get into Providence College score in the top 37 percent of all SAT test takers..  Providence ranks #3 in the state of Rhode Island for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1230 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Providence regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1120 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1120, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1010, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Providence College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1225, you have around a 58% chance of being admitted. A 1330 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 72% chance of getting in.

Providence College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1330 and Above Good >72%
1225 to 1330 Avg + 58%-72%
1120 to 1225 Avg - 42%-58%
1015 to 1120 Reach 28%-42%
Less than 1015 Low <28%
Calculate My Chances 

Providence ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

26-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

11%
ACT Scores for Providence College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 26
ACT Scores for Providence College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Providence?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Providence is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 31.  The school ranks #4 in Rhode Island and #204 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

11 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Providence College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Providence College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Providence for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 58% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 75% with a 31 ACT score.

Providence College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >75%
28 to 31 Avg + 58%-75%
26 to 28 Avg - 45%-58%
24 to 26 Reach 33%-45%
Less than 24 Low <33%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

63% of Providence College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Providence College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 24%
Top 25% of class 63%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Providence College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,320 4,809 11,129
Accepted 3,646 2,807 6,453
Acceptance Rate 58% 58% 58%
Enrolled 551 489 1,040
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 17% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2024

Days left to Apply

109

Applicants have 109 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Providence College is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Providence College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Providence College Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Considered but not required
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Providence College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Providence is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.47 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1230 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1330 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 28 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Providence College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217402 IPEDS survey data for Providence College.

FAQs

Does Providence College prefer SAT or ACT?

43% of students submit their SAT scores to Providence. 11% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Providence College?

58% of those who apply are granted admission to Providence. Admission competition is low and the college has difficult admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Providence College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1120 and 1330. The average SAT score is 1225. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Providence College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 26 and 31. The average ACT score is 28. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.