Head-to-Head Comparison
Providence College vs Wellesley College
- Providence Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 10
- Wellesley Wins
- 28
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Wellesley College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,496 vs Providence College's $48,523, Wellesley College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Wellesley College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 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, 3% more than Wellesley College
Wellesley
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,496, roughly $23,027 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 14% 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); Wellesley in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Wellesley College. Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Wellesley College over Providence College. Net price $25,496 vs $48,523.
Pick Wellesley College over Providence College. 2.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Wellesley College 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 Wellesley College are close on paper, but Wellesley College 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
Wellesley College is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while Providence College takes 51%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,346 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Wellesley 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, Wellesley College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,496, about $23,027 a year below Providence College's $48,523. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $92,108 before any change in aid. Choosing Wellesley College 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 $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Wellesley College 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
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at Providence College, it is 0.9%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College 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. Wellesley College saves about $23,027 a year, yet Providence College graduates earn $2,251 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 Business & Marketing, while Wellesley College leans toward Computer Science & IT. 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 Wellesley College's $25,496.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Providence College's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Providence College's enrollment of 4,229 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Business and consulting-track students: Wellesley College has less business program depth, and Providence College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Wellesley holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 19% at Providence — 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 29.4%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
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.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
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 Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Providence) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Providence College is strongest in Business & Marketing, Psychology, while Wellesley College concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Physical 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Providence College or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 51% at Providence College.
Which is more affordable, Providence College or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,496 after aid versus $48,523 at Providence College.
Do Providence College or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Providence College graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Providence College or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 87%.
Providence College vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Wellesley College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Providence College or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Wellesley College 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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