Education in Providence, Rhode Island: official figures
34.6% of adults aged 25 and over in Providence held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 402nd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Rhode Island: 37.7%).
How many people in Providence have a graduate degree?
16.6% of adults aged 25 and over in Providence held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 263rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 3.3% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Providence?
In Providence, 27.8% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 19.6% had some college or an associate's degree (US: 26.0% and 27.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are there in Providence?
58,132 residents of Providence aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 31.2% of that age group, 87th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 28,992 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 9,633 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Providence?
21,710 residents of Providence were enrolled as college undergraduates and 5,943 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 14.9% of residents aged 3 and over, 64th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Providence attend preschool?
1,487 children in Providence were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Providence compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Providence ranks 422 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 419 | Melbourne | 34.7% |
| 420 | Dearborn | 34.6% |
| 421 | Knoxville | 34.6% |
| 422 | Providence | 34.6% |
| 423 | Tacoma | 34.5% |
| 424 | West Sacramento | 34.5% |
| 425 | Bellevue | 34.4% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Providence ranks 263 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 260 | Round Rock | 16.8% |
| 261 | Kettering | 16.8% |
| 262 | Winston-Salem | 16.7% |
| 263 | Providence | 16.6% |
| 264 | Rocklin | 16.6% |
| 265 | Lakeville | 16.6% |
| 266 | Lakewood | 16.5% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Providence ranks 115 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Bakersfield | 18.2% |
| 113 | Revere | 18.1% |
| 114 | Hayward | 18.0% |
| 115 | Providence | 17.9% |
| 116 | Brockton | 17.9% |
| 117 | Pontiac | 17.9% |
| 118 | El Paso | 17.8% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Providence ranks 64 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Eugene | 15.3% |
| 62 | Duluth | 15.0% |
| 63 | Lubbock | 15.0% |
| 64 | Providence | 14.9% |
| 65 | Orem | 14.8% |
| 66 | Valdosta | 14.8% |
| 67 | Knoxville | 14.8% |
More on Providence: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B15003: Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 d0c8609e958022459215c8a31d7452ef7528ee8dd70fbb6f9a99de0f491f42d7), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 609deae49c91…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B14001: School Enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e175af4a33616da45fb590da3d67f37eee65a3cb51e6f5864c64ff31fb716b81), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b85f52a6d640…)
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