Amherst vs. RISD

Amherst College and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Amherst $24,443 less
Amherst$19,049
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $7,792 less
Amherst$70,480
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $7,792 less
Amherst$70,480
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Amherst +9 pts
Amherst96%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$30,900
Amherst$82,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 9.6% lower than at Amherst College ($16,626 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Amherst than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $7,792 more per year; $70,480 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Rhode Island School of Design (59% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 79.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($68,591 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($134 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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