Claremont McKenna vs. RISD

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

Claremont McKenna College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Claremont McKenna (9.6% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Claremont McKenna. Average net price is $33,895 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Claremont McKenna $9,597 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,292 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,292 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Claremont McKenna +4 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$46,700
Claremont McKenna$97,800
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA 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 Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Claremont McKenna 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: Claremont McKenna 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 20.2% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($16,626 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,292 more per year; $67,980 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Claremont McKenna College than at Rhode Island School of Design (43% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 37.6% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($52,605 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Claremont McKenna than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Claremont McKenna average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $12,033 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($14,967 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($154 vs. $279).

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

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