Carnegie Mellon vs. RISD

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

Carnegie Mellon University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carnegie Mellon (11.7% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carnegie Mellon. Average net price is $35,552 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Carnegie Mellon 87% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carnegie Mellon $102,700 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Carnegie Mellon University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Carnegie Mellon more selective
Carnegie Mellon11.7%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carnegie Mellon higher
Carnegie Mellon1500-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Carnegie Mellon $7,940 less
Carnegie Mellon$35,552
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $3,558 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $3,558 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Carnegie Mellon +0 pts
Carnegie Mellon87%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carnegie Mellon +$51,600
Carnegie Mellon$102,700
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carnegie Mellon 33,941
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Carnegie Mellon 3,959
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 11.7%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carnegie Mellon 45.7%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 1540
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carnegie Mellon 3.89
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carnegie Mellon A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carnegie Mellon Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carnegie Mellon Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 1500-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 34-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carnegie Mellon Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Carnegie Mellon $18,166
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Carnegie Mellon $35,552
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon $48,107
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon 51%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 87%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carnegie Mellon $102,700
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carnegie Mellon 91%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carnegie Mellon $26,250
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carnegie Mellon $271
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carnegie Mellon 5:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carnegie Mellon
    • Engineering (26%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Business (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Carnegie Mellon Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carnegie Mellon 15,888
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Carnegie Mellon Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carnegie Mellon #45
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Carnegie Mellon 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: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; 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 8.5% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,626 vs. $18,166).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $3,558 more per year; $66,246 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Rhode Island School of Design (51% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($48,107 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Carnegie Mellon than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carnegie Mellon and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carnegie Mellon average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($271 vs. $279).
  • More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (91% 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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