Penn vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Providence College 11:1.

Penn vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn 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 Pennsylvania than Providence ($23,570 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,840 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $5,136 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Penn than at Providence College (about $5,136 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at University of Pennsylvania (83% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 105.4% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($65,458 vs. $31,873).

Penn vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn 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 Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 220 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Penn vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $55,600 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

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.