Bentley vs. RISD

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

Bentley University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 45.1%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1360.
  • Cheaper after aid: RISD. Average net price is $43,492 vs $45,802 at Bentley.
  • Graduation: Bentley 88% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bentley $87,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Bentley University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Bentley45.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Bentley1280-1430
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RISD $2,310 less
Bentley$45,802
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Bentley $1,688 less
Bentley$61,000
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Bentley $1,688 less
Bentley$61,000
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Bentley +1 pts
Bentley88%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$36,100
Bentley$87,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bentley 11,012
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Bentley 4,961
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bentley 1360
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bentley 29
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bentley 3.75
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bentley A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bentley Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bentley Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Bentley 28-31
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bentley Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Bentley $20,140
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Bentley $45,802
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Bentley $33,673
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bentley 88%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bentley 88%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bentley $87,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bentley 92%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bentley $26,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bentley $274
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bentley 12:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Bentley Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bentley 5,333
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bentley #107
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Bentley University 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: Bentley University 12:1; 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 17.4% lower than at Bentley University ($16,626 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at RISD than at Bentley University (about $1,688 more per year; $62,688 vs. $61,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Rhode Island School of Design (88% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 13.5% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($38,223 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at RISD than at Bentley (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bentley and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bentley average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (92% 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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