Bucknell vs. RISD

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

Bucknell University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 28.9%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bucknell. Average net price is $39,003 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Bucknell 91% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bucknell $76,300 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Bucknell University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Bucknell28.9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Bucknell1310-1470
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Bucknell $4,489 less
Bucknell$39,003
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,124 less
Bucknell$67,812
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,124 less
Bucknell$67,812
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Bucknell +4 pts
Bucknell91%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$25,200
Bucknell$76,300
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bucknell 1390
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bucknell 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bucknell A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bucknell Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bucknell High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bucknell 59%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bucknell 91%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bucknell 89%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bucknell $279
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bucknell #71
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Bucknell 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: Bucknell University 9:1; 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 1.8% lower than at Bucknell University ($16,626 vs. $16,924).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Bucknell than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,124 more per year; $67,812 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Rhode Island School of Design (59% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 17% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($44,734 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at Bucknell (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bucknell and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and Bucknell graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and Bucknell graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell 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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