Head-to-Head Comparison
Providence College vs University of Florida
- Providence Wins
- 8
- Tied
- 15
- Florida Wins
- 31
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Florida offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $6,541 vs Providence College's $48,523, University of Florida delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Florida's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Providence
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than University of Florida
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 0.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Florida
- Lower cost: Average net price of $6,541, roughly $41,982 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 24% 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); Florida in Engineering (15%). 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 Providence College over University of Florida. Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment vs $71,588.
Pick University of Florida over Providence College. Net price $6,541 vs $48,523.
Pick Providence College over University of Florida. 0.9% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Pick University of Florida over Providence College. 91% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Providence College and University of Florida are close on paper, but University of Florida wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Florida is the harder admit. It takes 24% of applicants, while Providence College takes 51%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,346 to 1,403.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Florida 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, University of Florida comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $6,541, about $41,982 a year below Providence College's $48,523. Graduates of University of Florida also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $167,928 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Florida leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Providence College graduates report median earnings of $87,054, compared with $71,588 at University of Florida. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Florida has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% 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
University of Florida graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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.
Moving people up
Providence College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 0.9%; at University of Florida, it is 0.4%. University of Florida also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 27700% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Providence College 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 University of Florida to keep costs and debt down; pick Providence College 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. University of Florida saves about $41,982 a year, yet Providence College graduates earn $15,466 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of Florida is harder to get into, with a 24% admit rate, but Providence College posts the higher mobility rate, at 0.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Providence College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while University of Florida leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,523 runs well above University of Florida's $6,541.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $15,000 at University of Florida.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Florida has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Florida's enrollment of 35,629 far exceeds Providence College's 4,229.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Florida holds onto its admits more tightly: 42% of admitted students enroll, versus 19% at Providence — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Providence offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Florida does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Providence, where only about 58% 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
Research (Times HE) 4 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.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
The University of Florida has a graduation rate of 91%. This high rate reflects the school's commitment to student success and academic support. With nearly 36,000 students enrolled, it stands as a large public institution that excels in helping students complete their degrees.
According to Opportunity Insights data, the University of Florida ranks well for upward mobility, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds. While specific mobility rates are not available, the strong graduation rate suggests that many students are able to advance economically after earning their degrees. Graduates tend to see significant earnings growth, with a median income of $71,588 a decade post-graduation.
The net price for attending the University of Florida is $6,541, making it an affordable option for many students. With a median debt of only $15,000, graduates can enter the workforce without overwhelming financial burdens. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Engineering, Business, Biology, and Health Professions, benefiting from strong career prospects in those fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Providence College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Education ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Providence's top program is Business Administration (42% of enrollment), while Florida leads with Mechanical Engineering (15%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Providence) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Florida).
The two schools feed different job markets. Providence College is strongest in Psychology, while University of Florida concentrates in Engineering. 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 University of Florida?
University of Florida is harder to get into, admitting 24% of applicants compared with 51% at Providence College.
Which is more affordable, Providence College or University of Florida?
University of Florida is more affordable, with an average net price of $6,541 after aid versus $48,523 at Providence College.
Do Providence College or University of Florida graduates earn more?
Providence College graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, versus $71,588 at University of Florida.
Which has a better graduation rate, Providence College or University of Florida?
University of Florida has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 87%.
Providence College vs University of Florida: which is better for social mobility?
Providence College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 0.9% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Providence College or University of Florida?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Florida if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Providence College 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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