Providence, Rhode Island Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Colleges in Providence, Rhode Island: median public in-state tuition $44,581 (+682.1% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $64,870 (+9.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 93.5% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $22,970 (+70.1% vs U.S.) 25,256 students enrolled statewide.
Overview
Colleges and universities in Providence serve students across Rhode Island with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 8 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 25,256 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $44,581. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Providence, Rhode Island and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Providence vs Rhode Island & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, Rhode Island | $44,581 | $24,524 | $22,970 | 49.4% | 25,256 |
| Rhode Island (state median) | N/A | N/A | $16,358 | 62.0% | 62,567 |
| United States | $5,700 | $9,912 | $13,500 | 49.3% | 14,465,291 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Providence, Rhode Island vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, Rhode Island | $64,870 | 93.5% | 85.7% | 3.5% | — | 82.8% | 0.35 |
| Rhode Island (state median) | $73,388 | 94.8% | 83.6% | 2.6% | — | 85.8% | 0.32 |
| United States | $59,401 | 93.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.8% | 0.36 |
Other cities in Rhode Island (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, Rhode Island | $44,581 | $24,524 | $22,970 | 49.4% | 25,256 | $64,870 | 93.5% |
| Bristol | $45,978 | $37,645 | $25,000 | 67.4% | 3,946 | $77,127 | 96.9% |
| Bristol | $45,978 | $37,645 | $25,000 | 67.4% | 3,946 | $77,127 | 96.9% |
| Newport | $31,791 | $30,309 | $20,163 | 72.9% | 2,189 | $73,336 | 96.9% |
| Newport | $31,791 | $30,309 | $20,163 | 72.9% | 2,189 | $73,336 | 96.9% |
| Cranston | N/A | $18,790 | $7,830 | N/A | 283 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,700 | $9,912 | $13,500 | 49.3% | 14,465,291 | $59,401 | 93.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Providence, Rhode Island
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 6 | $69,341 | 93.3% | 89.8% | 2.6% | — | 85.4% |
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 95.6%, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 91.7%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
-
Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 86.4%, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 49.4%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 44.7%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 0.0%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 96.1%, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 94.0%, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 93.8%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 93.3%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 93.3%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 89.5%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 6 most selective colleges in Providence, Rhode Island (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 5.4%, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 18.7%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
-
Rank 3, Admission Rate, 50.9%, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 4, Admission Rate, 88.4%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 5, Admission Rate, 91.0%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 6, Admission Rate, 91.8%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
Top 7 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $141,816, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,455, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,900, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,435, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $59,681, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
-
Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $56,753, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $49,514, College Unbound
College Unbound
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $214,479, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $103,245, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $95,371, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $84,238, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $79,056, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $67,771, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $80,094, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $73,699, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $49,467, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,995, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,995, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,848, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $96,083, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $84,303, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $58,474, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
-
Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $54,721, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,402, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,402, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $99,974, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $90,260, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $69,341, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $60,399, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,928, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,928, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $327,388, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $219,446, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $166,574, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $137,334, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $97,928, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $32,666, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 7 most affordable colleges in Providence, Rhode Island (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $10,959, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $20,804, College Unbound
College Unbound
-
Rank 3, Net Price, $22,071, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
-
Rank 4, Net Price, $26,976, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 5, Net Price, $29,952, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 6, Net Price, $49,594, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 7, Net Price, $50,513, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 6 colleges in Providence, Rhode Island by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 98.8%, Brown University
Brown University
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 95.0%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
-
Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 94.0%, Providence College
Providence College
-
Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 82.0%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
-
Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 73.3%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 52.2%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
In-state tuition: Providence, Rhode Island vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Providence, Rhode Island median in-state tuition is $44,581, +682.1% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Providence, Rhode Island vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Providence, Rhode Island is $22,970 (+70.1% vs U.S. median $13,500).
Median earnings (10 years out): Providence, Rhode Island vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Providence, Rhode Island center around $64,870 (+9.2% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Providence, Rhode Island vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 93.5% at the median Providence, Rhode Island campus (+0.5 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Providence, Rhode Island median public in-state tuition is $44,581, about +682.1% vs the national median.
Median graduate debt is $22,970 (+70.1% above the U.S. median of $13,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Providence, Rhode Island are $64,870, about +9.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($59,401).
The median campus reports 93.5% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 93.0% (+0.5 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 85.7% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 82.8% (U.S. 73.8%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Providence College (96.1%), Brown University (94.0%), Rhode Island College (93.8%), Johnson & Wales University-Providence (93.3%), Johnson & Wales University-Online (93.3%), Rhode Island School of Design (89.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Providence, Rhode Island, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $69,341 (6 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Providence, Rhode Island is 49.4% (national institution average about 49.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Providence?
This city profile covers 8 campuses in Providence, Rhode Island with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Providence?
Median in-state tuition in Providence is $44,581 and median net price is $24,524. For Rhode Island overall, medians are N/A and N/A; U.S. medians are $5,700 and $9,912.
What do graduates earn in Providence?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Providence is $64,870 vs $73,388 for Rhode Island and $59,401 nationally.
What is student debt like for Providence colleges?
Median completer debt in Providence is $22,970 vs $16,358 for Rhode Island and $13,500 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Providence?
Top campuses on this page include Brown University (graduation) and Brown University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Providence?
Among 8 campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, 3 campuses report at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment in U.S. Department of Education data; examples include Rhode Island College, Empire Beauty School-Warwick, and College Unbound; 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (1).
Sources & related
- Rhode Island college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON