Providence, Rhode Island Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Providence, Rhode Island shows: median public in-state tuition $42,419 (+669.6% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $62,229 (+14.6% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 56.8% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $23,250 (+73.1% vs U.S.) 25,256 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 8 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 25,256 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $42,419 (+669.6% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $62,229 (+14.6% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 56.8% (-31.1 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $23,989 (+140.7% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $23,250 (+73.1% vs U.S. $13,432)
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 70.6%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 85.7%
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Providence, Rhode Island—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against 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 | $42,419 | $23,989 | $23,250 | 70.6% | 25,256 |
| Rhode Island (state median) | N/A | N/A | $13,000 | 66.5% | 62,567 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
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 | $62,229 | 56.8% | 85.7% | 3.5% | — | 82.8% | 0.38 |
| Rhode Island (state median) | $70,004 | 22.6% | 83.6% | 2.6% | — | 85.8% | 0.37 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
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 | $42,419 | $23,989 | $23,250 | 70.6% | 25,256 | $62,229 | 56.8% |
| Newport | $30,558 | $28,746 | $12,500 | 76.9% | 2,189 | $72,975 | 22.6% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
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 | $68,140 | 56.8% | 89.8% | 2.6% | — | 85.4% |
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 95.7%, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 88.8%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 85.8%, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 55.4%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 48.1%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
-
Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 0.0%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 65.9%, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 64.7%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 56.8%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 56.8%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 22.7%, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 9.4%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 5.4%, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 18.7%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 50.9%, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 88.4%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 91.0%, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 91.8%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $151,065, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,235, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,120, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,364, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $55,673, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $53,555, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $214,479, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $103,245, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $95,371, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $84,238, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $79,056, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $67,771, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $79,131, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $69,326, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,882, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,932, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,802, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,802, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $84,208, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $73,021, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $58,975, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $47,149, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $40,078, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $40,078, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $93,487, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $87,054, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $68,140, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $56,318, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $43,418, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $43,418, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $294,483, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $194,158, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $152,922, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $90,931, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $57,793, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $36,596, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $9,478, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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Rank 2, Net Price, $20,252, Johnson & Wales University-Online
Johnson & Wales University-Online
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Rank 3, Net Price, $21,108, College Unbound
College Unbound
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Rank 4, Net Price, $25,184, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $31,027, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 6, Net Price, $48,523, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 7, Net Price, $50,507, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 10 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.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 98.8%, Brown University
Brown University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 95.0%, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 94.0%, Providence College
Providence College
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 82.0%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 73.3%, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
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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 $42,419, +669.6% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Providence, Rhode Island vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Providence, Rhode Island is $23,250 (+73.1% vs U.S. median $13,432).
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 $62,229 (+14.6% 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 56.8% at the median Providence, Rhode Island campus (-31.1 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 $42,419, about +669.6% vs the national median.
Median graduate debt is $23,250 (+73.1% above the U.S. median of $13,432). 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 $62,229, about +14.6% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 56.8% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-31.1 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 76.3%—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. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Brown University (65.9%), Rhode Island School of Design (64.7%), Johnson & Wales University-Providence (56.8%), Johnson & Wales University-Online (56.8%), Providence College (22.7%), Rhode Island College (9.4%)—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 $68,140 (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 70.6% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Providence?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 8 campuses in Providence, Rhode Island with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Providence?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Providence is $42,419 and median net price is $23,989. For Rhode Island overall, medians are N/A and N/A; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Providence?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Providence is $62,229 vs $70,004 for Rhode Island and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Providence colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Providence is $23,250 vs $13,000 for Rhode Island and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Providence?
EDsmart Data analysis: 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?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 8 campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, 3 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; 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