BU vs. RISD

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

Boston University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
BU1420-1530
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
BU $19,072 less
BU$24,420
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,414 less
BU$68,102
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,414 less
BU$68,102
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +2 pts
BU85%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$20,900
BU$72,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Boston 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: Boston University 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 12.6% lower than at Boston University ($16,626 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at BU than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,414 more per year; $68,102 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston University than at Rhode Island School of Design (49% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 61.8% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($61,848 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BU than at RISD (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and BU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and BU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 82%).

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

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