Babson vs. RISD

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

Babson College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Babson (17.1% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Babson. Average net price is $32,019 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Babson 90% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Babson $108,500 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Babson College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Babson more selective
Babson17.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Babson1390-1530
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Babson $11,473 less
Babson$32,019
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Babson $5,536 less
Babson$57,152
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Babson $5,536 less
Babson$57,152
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Babson +3 pts
Babson90%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Babson +$57,400
Babson$108,500
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Babson 9,381
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Babson 1,603
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Babson 17.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Babson 39%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Babson 1460
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Babson 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Babson 3.79
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Babson A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Babson Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Babson Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Babson 1390-1530
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Babson 31-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Babson Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Babson Jan 3, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Babson $57,152
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Babson $57,152
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Babson $21,550
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Babson $32,019
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Babson $48,173
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Babson 39%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Babson 90%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Babson $108,500
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Babson 88%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Babson $26,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Babson $268
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Babson 15:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Babson
    • Business (100%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Babson Wellesley, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Babson Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Babson 3,932
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Babson Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Babson #108
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Babson College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,932 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Babson 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: Babson College 15:1; 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 22.8% lower than at Babson College ($16,626 vs. $21,550).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at RISD than at Babson College (about $5,536 more per year; $62,688 vs. $57,152).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Babson College than at Rhode Island School of Design (39% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 26% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($48,173 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Babson students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Babson and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Babson average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Babson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Babson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Babson students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 88%).

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

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