Wellesley vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA with Providence College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Providence College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Providence College 11:1.

Wellesley vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Providence ($22,174 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 15.1% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,840 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $3,626 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Wellesley than at Providence College (about $3,626 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Wellesley College (83% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 101.2% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($64,116 vs. $31,873).

Wellesley vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 190 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Wellesley vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,100 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $187 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($92 vs. $279).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.