Providence College vs Rhode Island College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Providence College Providence, RI | Rhode Island College Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +31% | +163% |
| 10-year net gain | $63,329 | $74,128 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $71,726 | $56,951 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $49,772 | $38,095 |
| Average net price | $48,523 | $9,478 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,500 |
| Break-even | 7.6 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 48% |
| Admission rate | 51% | 92% |
Providence College
Break-even
+$63,329 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Rhode Island College
Strong return
+$74,128 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.