University of Rhode Island vs Providence College: which has better ROI?
University of Rhode Island has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,760 in 4 years versus 5 years at Providence College, on median earnings of $69,743 vs $87,054 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rhode Island | Providence College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,440 | $48,523 |
| Total net cost | $85,760 | $194,092 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,743 | $87,054 |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $341,900 | $579,788 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Rhode Island or Providence College?
University of Rhode Island, at $21,440 a year after aid versus $48,523 — a gap of $27,083 a year, or $108,332 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Rhode Island or Providence College graduates earn more?
Providence College graduates report a median $87,054 ten years after entry, $17,311 more than the $69,743 at University of Rhode Island. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Rhode Island or Providence College?
University of Rhode Island: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Providence College, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at Providence College, against 73% at University of Rhode Island. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.