Providence College vs Fairfield University

The college is located on a gated 105 acres (0.42 km2) campus in the city's Elmhurst neighborhood atop Smith Hill, the highest point in the city of Providence. The campus is located in a residential urban neighborhood about two miles west of downtown Providence.

Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, Connecticut, a coastal town along Long Island Sound. It is less than 60 miles from New York City and approximately 1 hour 20 minutes away by Metro-North Railroad.

Ask any of the nearly 4,000 students living on campus and in nearby neighborhoods, and they’ll describe PC as a bustling community where there’s always something going on. You’ll have your choice of quiet study areas or busy activity spaces — indoors or outside — across the college’s 105 acres. With 120+ student clubs and organizations, 24 club sport programs, hundreds of special events each year, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and abounding opportunities to serve in the community, Friars are anything but bored. From hosting a show on WDOM radio to winning a coveted intramural championship t-shirt, from performing sketch comedy to advocating for important causes, involvement and service are how students learn and grow outside of the classroom, making life-long friends along the way. At Providence College, the Catholic and Dominican identity influences the approach to life. It means the university seeks the truth — intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally — and live in a respectful, supportive community. Campus Ministry is a hub of social life, service, and spirituality at PC. Students of all faiths or none participate in more than 25 different student-led ministries and retreats throughout the year. 

Student life at Fairfield University supports the Jesuit tradition of caring for the whole person by providing opportunities that engage students in meaningful activities designed for their living and learning experience. Along with meeting lifelong friends, Fairfield provides a rich opportunity to grow as a whole person with the help of mentors, professors and community members. In this vibrant community with over 100 clubs and organizations, there are countless activities to choose from. Whether it is participating in an intramural sport, Broadway trip, Fairfield@Night event, attending an athletic games or quintessential events like Red Sea Madness, Alumni & Family Weekend, Presidential Ball or Midnight Breakfast there is always something to do. Downtown Fairfield, which offers everything from great restaurants, shops, and theaters, is only a five-minute bus ride away. If you’re feeling adventurous, bike to the beach to catch a sunset or take a quick train ride from our Fairfield station to explore all that New York City has to offer. Make room on your calendars now because at Fairfield- there is never a dull moment.

David Angell – Emmy Award-winning television producer, victim of the September 11 attacks (was a passenger of American Airlines Flight 11)
Doris Burke – sports analyst for ESPN, former Friars basketball player
David R. Colburn – author and professor of history

Brian Burke – President of Hockey Operations of the Pittsburgh Penguins, former Friars ice hockey player
Rich Gotham – President of Boston Celtics
Karen Ignagni – President and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans

Michael Amalfitano - president and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets
Michael G. Archbold – former CEO, Talbots, Vitamin Shoppe and GNC
Joseph Berardino  – managing director, Alvarez & Marsal; former CEO, Arthur Andersen

Ronald A. Bosco – Distinguished Professor of English and American Literature, University at Albany
William Doerner – Professor, Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
James Hanrahan – founding Chancellor, St. Thomas More School