Carleton College vs. RISD

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

Carleton College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Carleton College20.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Carleton College $15,445 less
Carleton College$28,047
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $6,204 less
Carleton College$68,892
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $6,204 less
Carleton College$68,892
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Carleton College +6 pts
Carleton College93%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$14,500
Carleton College$65,600
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Carleton 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: Carleton College 8:1; 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 5.5% lower than at Carleton College ($16,626 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Carleton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,204 more per year; $68,892 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (59% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 48.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($56,846 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carleton College than at RISD (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Carleton College 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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