Providence College strives to provide a balanced liberal arts education for the whole person "body, mind, and soul" in the Catholic and Dominican tradition. The College is committed to fostering academic excellence through the Schools of arts and sciences, business, and Professional Studies and to providing a variety of opportunities for intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual growth in a supportive environment.

Providence College, the only university in the nation operated by Dominican Friars, encourages deep respect for all, hosting a diverse group of people from every religious, racial, and ethnic background. The College's motto is "Veritas," which means truth, and represents the passionate quest for truth, which is pursued at Providence College.

Among other local Rhode Island colleges, Providence College's name not only reflects the school's location, but also its mission to provide an environment where each person comes to understand his or her identity and role in the plan of God. The college asserts that faith and reason are compatible, complementary, and point to a single truth.