Providence College vs Emerson College

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Providence College
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Providence College
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Emerson College
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Providence College
Higher success

Providence College

Providence, RI
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
48.7%
47.5%
Avg SAT Score
1,342
1,359
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1250 – 1400
1250 – 1410
Avg ACT Score
29
30
ACT Range (25th–75th)
28 – 32
30 – 33
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$45,538
$46,766
Tuition (In-State)
$60,848
$55,392
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$60,848
$55,392
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
13.2%
15.0%
Federal Loan Rate
55.1%
46.6%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$87,054
$62,832
Graduation Rate
86.7%
78.2%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
91.2%
87.8%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
4,170
4,145
Undergrad Enrollment
4,447
4,355
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Providence College

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
B-
Diversity
C

Emerson College

Academics
B+
Value
C
Admissions
B-
Diversity
B+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Providence College and Emerson College are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Emerson College is more selective with a 47.5% acceptance rate compared to Providence College's 48.7%. Average SAT scores are 1342 and 1359 respectively.

Cost: Providence College offers a lower average net price at $45,538, which is $1,228 less than Emerson College ($46,766). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Providence College earn a median salary of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, which is $24,222 more than Emerson College graduates ($62,832).

Graduation: Providence College leads with a 86.7% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 91.2% vs 87.8%.

Campus Size: Providence College is the larger campus with 4,170 total students, while Emerson College has 4,145.

Bottom Line: Providence College stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates β€” making it the stronger value proposition overall.

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