DU vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver in Denver, CO with Providence College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Denver is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 4,666 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Providence College 11:1.

DU vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU 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 University of Denver than Providence ($45,451 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 0.5% lower than at Providence College ($17,759 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DU (about $2,152 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $61,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Providence than at University of Denver (about $2,152 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $61,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Providence College (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($33,955 vs. $31,873).

DU vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU or Providence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Providence and DU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 10 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming DU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at Providence (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Denver 1240/1410; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Denver 28/33; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman DU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Providence (3.47).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 19.2% at Providence.

DU vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU and Providence? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Denver's (78%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than DU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $63,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

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.