Columbia vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Providence College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Providence College 11:1.

Columbia vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Providence? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia University in the City of New York than Providence ($22,520 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 1.5% lower than at Providence College ($17,580 vs. $17,840).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 13.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $8,295 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at Columbia than at Providence College (about $8,295 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (83% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 110.2% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($67,010 vs. $31,873).

Columbia vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Providence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Providence and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 230 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Columbia vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Providence? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $39,600 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.