Providence vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Providence College in Providence, RI with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Providence College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Providence College is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Providence College 11:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Providence vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Providence or Olin College? 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than Providence ($43,184 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 14.3% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,840 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $2,848 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Olin College than at Providence College (about $2,848 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Providence College (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 35.8% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($43,290 vs. $31,873).

Providence vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Providence or Olin College? 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 Olin College and Providence.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 210 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Providence College 1250/1390; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Providence - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Providence Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Providence vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Providence vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Providence and Olin College? 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $12,290 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($14,710 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($152 vs. $279).

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.