Head-to-Head Comparison
Providence College vs Santa Clara University
- Providence Wins
- 9
- Tied
- 11
- Santa Clara Wins
- 30
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Providence College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Santa Clara University achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 87%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $50,062 compared to Providence College's $48,523. Students who choose Providence College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $87,054 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Providence
- Lower cost: Average net price of $48,523, roughly $1,539 a year less
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 25% more than Providence College
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,162, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 48% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Providence graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (42% of degrees); Santa Clara in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 Santa Clara University over Providence College. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $87,054.
Pick Providence College over Santa Clara University. Net price $48,523 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over Providence College. 2.2% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Providence College and Santa Clara University are close on paper, but Santa Clara University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Santa Clara University is the harder admit. It takes 48% of applicants, while Providence College takes 51%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,346 to 1,426.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Santa Clara University 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, Providence College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $48,523, about $1,539 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,156 before any change in aid. Choosing Providence College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Santa Clara University graduates report median earnings of $109,183, compared with $87,054 at Providence College. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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.
Moving people up
Santa Clara University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Providence College, it is 0.9%. Santa Clara University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Santa Clara University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Providence College to keep costs and debt down; pick Santa Clara University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Providence College saves about $1,539 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $22,129 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Providence College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while Santa Clara University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,162 at Santa Clara University.
- Engineering-focused students: Santa Clara University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Santa Clara University's enrollment of 6,552 far exceeds Providence College's 4,229.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Providence holds onto its admits more tightly: 19% of admitted students enroll, versus 18% at Santa Clara — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Providence (85.5% Early Decision admit rate vs 80.1%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Santa Clara, where only about 34% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 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
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.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, indicating strong student success and support. This high rate suggests that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees in a timely manner, which is crucial for their future careers.
The earnings data for graduates is impressive. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $109,183. This figure highlights the potential return on investment for students considering their financial futures. However, with a net price of $50,062 and median debt at $19,162, students should weigh the cost of attendance against their anticipated earnings.
Students who thrive at Santa Clara typically pursue majors in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, or Psychology. The campus environment supports those who are motivated and engaged in their studies. With a moderate acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse group of students ready to take advantage of the academic opportunities available.
Rankings They Appear On
Providence College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Education ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 42% of Providence's student body and 27% of Santa Clara's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Providence) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara).
The two schools feed different job markets. Providence College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Santa Clara University concentrates in Engineering, Communications. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Providence College or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 51% at Providence College.
Which is more affordable, Providence College or Santa Clara University?
Providence College is more affordable, with an average net price of $48,523 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Providence College or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $87,054 at Providence College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Providence College or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 87%.
Providence College vs Santa Clara University: which is better for social mobility?
Santa Clara University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Providence College or Santa Clara University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Providence College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Santa Clara University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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