Providence College Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the University Scholarships hub • See Rhode Island state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive merit scholarships
- Top awards like the Presidential and Liberal Arts Honors Scholarships
- Need-based aid and how to stack awards wisely
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~49.9%
- Middle 50% GPA (weighted): 3.5 – 4.1
- Middle 50% SAT: 1230 – 1380
- Middle 50% ACT: 27 – 32
Source: Providence College “By the Numbers” admissions data.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Providence College at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
Providence College offers a welcoming liberal arts environment grounded in its Dominican Catholic tradition—and meaningful merit aid for strong students. The top award, the Presidential Scholarship, covers full tuition, while other scholarships reward academic excellence, service, and leadership.
Use this guide to explore Providence’s merit and honors options, understand who typically qualifies, and see how you can stack need-based and state aid to bring the cost within reach.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Providence College remains test-optional; students may submit SAT/ACT scores if they feel they enhance their application.
What is the middle 50% GPA/SAT/ACT? GPA: 3.5–4.1 (weighted) • SAT: 1230–1380 • ACT: 27–32. Note: ranges based on admitted applicant profile overview.
What’s the average net price? About $46,645 per year after grants/scholarships.
Does this school offer reciprocity or waivers? No — Providence is a private college, but Rhode Island residents can apply for state and institutional aid in addition to private scholarships.
Providence College Tuition & Fees page (2025-26) — https://bursar.providence.edu/undergraduate-students/tuition/
Providence College Tuition & Aid page — https://admission.providence.edu/tuition-aid/
Providence College By the Numbers (admissions profile) — https://admission.providence.edu/by-the-numbers/
Providence College Cost and Tuition — BigFuture College Search — https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/providence-college/tuition-and-costs
Providence College Cost and Tuition — Niche — https://www.niche.com/colleges/providence-college/cost/
Providence College Cost and Tuition — CollegeTuitionCompare — https://collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/217402/providence-college/tuition/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Providence College
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $65,960 | $65,960 |
| Housing & Meals | $18,470 | $18,470 |
| Total (before aid) | ≈ $84,430 | ≈ $84,430 |
Note: Additional estimated costs—books and supplies (~$1,150), transportation (~$1,000), and personal expenses (~$1,540)—are not listed in the table above because they are not billed directly by Providence College. These figures are included only for budgeting purposes.
FAQ
Who qualifies for lower tuition through reciprocity?
None — Providence sets one tuition rate for all students regardless of home state.
How much do families really pay?
The average net price is about $46,645 per year after grants and scholarships. Most families pay significantly less than the $84k sticker price once aid is applied.
Do I need to file the CSS Profile?
Yes. Providence requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile for institutional aid consideration. For guidance, see our CSS Profile Guide.
Providence College Tuition & Aid — https://admission.providence.edu/tuition-aid/
Providence College Bursar’s Office (Undergraduate Tuition & Fees 2025–26) — https://bursar.providence.edu/undergraduate-students/tuition/
Providence College Financial Aid — https://financial-aid.providence.edu/types-of-assistance/
College Scorecard — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?217402-Providence-College
BigFuture College Board — https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/providence-college/tuition-and-costs
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Providence College automatically reviews every applicant for academic scholarships during the admission process—no separate application is needed. Awards are based on GPA and the rigor of your student’s high school coursework. Test scores are optional but can be considered if submitted.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Tuition Scholarships | $23,000 – $38,000 per year | Awarded automatically at admission based on high GPA and rigor. Test scores optional. | No | Yes (maintain GPA/academic progress) | Typically A-average students (~3.8 unweighted GPA) with multiple AP/IB/Honors courses. Test scores can help but are not required. | Application deadline (Early Action: Nov 1; Regular Decision: Jan 15) |
Award ranges reflect Providence’s published merit grid ($23k–$38k). GPA/test bands are based on admission signals; exact cutoffs vary by year and applicant pool.
FAQ
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. All admitted students are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships when they apply for admission.
Does Providence College superscore the SAT or ACT?
Providence superscores the SAT, meaning they combine the highest section scores across test dates. For the ACT, they consider the highest section subscores but do not create a new composite superscore.
Can merit awards be combined with need-based aid?
Yes, but Providence caps the combination of institutional aid at the full cost of tuition. If you receive a full-tuition scholarship, additional institutional aid will generally be limited to covering fees, room, or board.
Do test-optional students still get scholarships?
Yes. The majority of merit scholarships are based on GPA and rigor. Test scores are only considered if submitted.
Merit Scholarship Details: https://financial-aid.providence.edu/merit-scholarships/
Application Policy/Test Optional: https://admission.providence.edu/apply/standardized-testing/
Catalog Financial Aid: https://catalog.providence.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards go beyond grades—they’re limited in number and often require exceptional achievement or unique commitments. At Providence, the flagship competitive scholarship below can cover full tuition or even full cost of attendance.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roddy Scholarship | Up to full Cost of Attendance | Exceptional first-year students planning careers in medicine, dentistry, or optometry | No (automatic consideration) | Yes | National-caliber pre-health students with A/A+ academics, deep rigor, leadership, and service | April 1 (priority); must apply for fall entry |
FAQ
What makes the Roddy Scholarship competitive?
It’s reserved for a very small number of top pre-health candidates and can cover up to full cost of attendance.
Is there a separate application?
No. Students are considered automatically during the admission process.
Can it stack with other Providence aid?
Full-tuition/COA scholarships generally cap institutional stacking; additional need-based aid may help with fees, housing, or meals as allowed.
Roddy Scholarship: https://catalog.providence.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/
Office of Financial Aid: https://financial-aid.providence.edu/
Admission: https://admission.providence.edu/dates/
🎖️ Honors College
Providence’s Liberal Arts Honors Program gives high-achieving students the chance to dive deeper into the humanities while still completing their major on time. It’s built around small seminars, mentoring, and distinctive Core requirements that set PC apart.
A/A– average in high school, most rigorous curriculum available, strong writing skills, and active leadership or service involvement.
- Small, seminar-style classes that fulfill Core requirements (including the signature Development of Western Civilization sequence)
- Peer mentoring for every first-year Honors student
- Funding to support participation in the PC Alumni Job Shadow Program
- Close faculty mentorship and a strong community of motivated peers
| Entry Route | How Selected | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Invitation at Admission | Top applicants are invited based on GPA, rigor, recommendations, and essays | Same as your admission deadline (Nov 1, Nov 15, Jan 15, Feb 1—per admission round) |
| Sophomore Internal Application | Current PC first-years submit letter, grades, and faculty support | June 1 (after first year) |
FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. Most students are invited to Honors during the admission process, but PC also allows rising sophomores to apply internally with a one-page letter and faculty support (deadline June 1).
Does Honors add extra time to a degree?
No. Honors courses replace part of the Core curriculum, so students graduate on the same timeline as their peers.
Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors?
No separate Honors-only awards are published. Students in Honors are eligible for the same merit and competitive scholarships as other admits.
Are there deadlines?
Students invited during admission follow the same deadlines as their application round. Sophomore-entry students must apply by June 1 after their first year.
Honors Program info: https://honors.providence.edu/
Sophomore application: https://honors.providence.edu/sophomore-application-process/
Academic Catalog: https://catalog.providence.edu/college/#honorsprogramtext
Admission deadlines: https://admission.providence.edu/dates/
⭐ College Specialty
Providence College is a Catholic liberal arts institution with a strong national reputation for blending academics, service, and community. Families often know PC for its unique Development of Western Civilization program, but the college also stands out for strengths in business, nursing, and civic engagement.
- School of Nursing & Health Sciences: Direct-admit BSN program with 9 clinical placements; rapidly gaining recognition regionally since launch in 2023.
- Feinstein Institute for Public Service: Nationally known for civic engagement and community-based learning opportunities.
- Political Science & Public & Community Service Studies: Consistently ranked among the top programs in Rhode Island for student engagement in politics and nonprofit work.
- Development of Western Civilization (DWC) Core: Signature four-semester interdisciplinary sequence that defines PC’s liberal arts identity.