USF vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (8,913 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USF vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF 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 San Francisco than Providence ($45,443 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 9.7% lower than at University of San Francisco ($17,840 vs. $19,764).
• Providence College is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF (about $3,058 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at Providence than at University of San Francisco (about $3,058 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Providence College (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($34,723 vs. $31,873).

USF vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF 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 USF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Providence College (1320) is 30 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Providence students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Providence (3.47).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 19.2% at Providence.

USF vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Francisco graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USF graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 73%)

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.