Providence College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Providence College charges a net price of $48,523/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $194,092. Graduates earn a median $87,054 ten years after entry, $38,694/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5 years — a 20-year net return of $579,788, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Providence College's 5-year payback ranks #428 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 67% of them, and #5 of 14 in Rhode Island.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $48,523/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $194,092 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $87,054 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $38,694/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $579,788 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Providence College's own numbers. Net price $48,523 × 4 years = $194,092 total. Median earnings $87,054 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $38,694 a year of premium. $194,092 ÷ $38,694 = 5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $579,788. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Providence College students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $87,054 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Providence College students graduate?
86% finish their degree. Spread the $194,092 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $225,688 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Providence College expensive compared with other Rhode Island colleges?
Its $48,523 net price runs $19,221 above the $29,303 median across the 14 Rhode Island colleges we profile, or $76,882 more across the full degree.