Providence College

Providence College International Student Insurance

Providence College, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Catholic university established in 1917. It’s the only higher-education institution in the United States run by the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church. It was founded as an all-male school and first admitted women as students in 1971. The school’s biggest expansion to date came after World War II; the ROTC was established on campus in 1951, the Liberal Arts Honors program began in 1957, and a new library opened in 1969. The school’s colors are black and white, and its athletic nickname is the friars.

On Campus

A hallmark of Providence’s academic curriculum is the Development of Western Civilization program, a two-year stretch of courses required of all enrolled students. The program covers key developments in the fields of literature, theology, philosophy, and history, moving chronologically from ancient history to the modern period through original texts and commentary. 

Notable campus research facilities include the Quirk Institute for Labor Relations and the Feinstein Institute for Public Service. 

The school came under criticism after a 2007 Princeton Review survey called it the “most homogenous student population in the country,” with as much as 88% of the student body identifying as white and only 4% from outside the United States. In 2011, the university created the Office of Institutional Diversity and hired a chief diversity officer.

Notable Alumni

Noteworthy Providence alumni include U.S. Senator from Connecticut Chris Dodd; film director Peter Farrelly; actor John O’Hurley; and actress Janeane Garofalo.

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