Barnard vs. RISD

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

Barnard College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Barnard8.8%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Barnard1470-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Barnard $17,085 less
Barnard$26,407
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $7,200 less
Barnard$69,888
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $7,200 less
Barnard$69,888
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Barnard +5 pts
Barnard92%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$15,800
Barnard$66,900
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Barnard College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Barnard 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: Barnard College 10:1; 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 23.4% lower than at Barnard College ($16,626 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at Barnard than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $7,200 more per year; $69,888 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Barnard College than at Rhode Island School of Design (33% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 65.2% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($63,131 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Barnard than at RISD (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,153 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($184 vs. $279).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 89%).

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

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