Brown vs. RISD

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

Brown University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Brown. Average net price is $26,256 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Brown 95% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brown $87,600 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Brown University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Brown5.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Brown1510-1580
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Brown $17,236 less
Brown$26,256
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $8,724 less
Brown$71,412
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $8,724 less
Brown$71,412
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Brown +8 pts
Brown95%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$36,500
Brown$87,600
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brown 48,904
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Brown 2,638
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brown 5.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brown 65.2%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brown 1550
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brown 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brown 3.94
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brown A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Brown Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Brown Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Brown 34-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Brown Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brown $71,412
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brown $71,412
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Brown $17,444
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Brown $26,256
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Brown $61,392
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brown 52%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brown 95%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brown $87,600
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brown 89%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brown $15,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Brown $155
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brown 6:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Brown Midsize City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brown 11,956
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brown #11
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brown University is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Brown 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: Brown University 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 4.7% lower than at Brown University ($16,626 vs. $17,444).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Brown than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $8,724 more per year; $71,412 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Rhode Island School of Design (52% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 60.6% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($61,392 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Brown than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Brown, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Brown Jan 5, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brown average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 65.2% at Brown vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($155 vs. $279).
  • More Brown 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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