Providence Admission Requirements

  • 8/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Providence, RI
  • 3.0 2 reviews
#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

Providence Admission Overview

Providence admission requirements are competitive. Last year Providence admitted 50.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.47 GPA (B+) and SAT 1250-1390 / ACT 29-32. Providence is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Providence Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

50.9%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Providence College

Acceptance Rate

The Providence acceptance rate is 50.9%. Last year, 6,372 of 12,521 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in Rhode Island.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Providence and can you get accepted?

Providence is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Providence College typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.47. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Providence GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.47

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.47

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Providence typically have around a 3.47 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Providence is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #5 in Rhode Island for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Providence College freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 1.25% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.21% Good
3.50 to 3.74 25.1% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 28.08% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 16.15% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.73% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.48% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Providence SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1250-1390

Freshmen who sent SAT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 630
  • Math 620
  • Composite 1250
SAT 25th percentile scores for Providence College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 700
  • Math 690
  • Composite 1390
SAT 75th percentile scores for Providence College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Providence typically score around a 1320 SAT (middle 50% 1250–1390) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. Providence ranks #3 in the state of Rhode Island and #177 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1250 to 1390

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Providence is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Providence College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1390+ Above 75th >66%
1320 to 1390 Avg + 51%-66%
1250 to 1320 Avg - 35%-51%
Below 1250 Below mid-50 <35%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Providence ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

29-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

5%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 28
  • Math 26
  • Composite 29
ACT 25th percentile scores for Providence College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 34
  • Math 32
  • Composite 32
ACT 75th percentile scores for Providence College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Providence typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 29–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Providence places #3 among colleges in Rhode Island and #154 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Providence without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Providence College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
32+ Above 75th >71%
30 to 32 Avg + 51%-71%
29 to 30 Avg - 40%-51%
Below 29 Below mid-50 <40%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

63% of Providence College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Providence College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 24%
Top 25% of class 63%
Top 50% of class 94%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Providence chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Providence College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 7,332 5,188 12,521
Accepted 3,601 2,771 6,372
Acceptance Rate 49% 53% 51%
Enrolled 674 549 1,223
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 19% 20% 19%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Providence College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Providence College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Providence College is $65.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Providence College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Providence is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 50.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.47 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1250-1390); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Providence College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217402.

GPA calculator: Providence College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026