Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences vs Providence College
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 11
- Providence Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Providence College achieves a higher graduation rate (87% vs 63%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $48,523 compared to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 44% more than Providence College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $39,545, roughly $8,978 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,000, the lower of the two
Providence
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 51% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Pharmacy graduates concentrate in Health Professions (93% of degrees); Providence in Business & Marketing (42%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Providence College. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $87,054.
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Providence College. Net price $39,545 vs $48,523.
Pick Providence College over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 87% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Providence College are close on paper, but Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Providence College is the harder admit. It takes 51% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,269 to 1,346.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Providence College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $39,545, about $8,978 a year below Providence College's $48,523. Graduates of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences also borrow less: median debt of $25,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $35,912 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $87,054 at Providence College. That is a 44% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 44% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Providence College graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 24% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Psychology, while Providence College leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and Providence College offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,523 runs well above Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 4,200 students, Providence College is a great fit for those looking for a close-knit community while still enjoying the resources of a larger institution. The college’s emphasis on programs like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Biology & Biomedical sets a clear academic direction for students. The 51% acceptance rate indicates that while it's selective, there are plenty of opportunities for students who are passionate about their fields.
Looking ahead, the average earnings for graduates after ten years is around $87,054. That’s a solid number that reflects the value of a degree from this institution. Graduates are likely to see upward mobility in their careers, which is a significant consideration when choosing a school. The fact that 87% of students graduate suggests a supportive environment that helps students stay on track and achieve their goals.
Financially, the net price after aid stands at $48,523, and the median debt for graduates is $27,000. This debt load is manageable compared to the earning potential, making it a reasonable investment in education. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are engaged in their studies and take advantage of the community support available. Overall, Providence College presents a compelling option for students focused on both academic and career success.
Rankings They Appear On
Providence College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Education ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Pharmacy's top program is Nursing (BSN) (93% of enrollment), while Providence leads with Business Administration (42%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Providence).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is strongest in Health Professions, Physical Sciences, while Providence College concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Providence College?
Providence College is harder to get into, admitting 51% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Providence College?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is more affordable, with an average net price of $39,545 after aid versus $48,523 at Providence College.
Do Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Providence College graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $87,054 at Providence College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Providence College?
Providence College has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 63%.
Should you choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Providence College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Providence College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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