Clarkson vs. RISD

Should I go to Clarkson University or Rhode Island School of Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarkson or RISD is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Pratt Institute RIT St Lawrence University RPI Syracuse MICA UB Binghamton University Union College Yale Cooper Union UVM
Clarkson University vs. Rhode Island School of Design comparison
Clarkson University Rhode Island School of Design College 3 College 4
Clarkson University Rhode Island School of Design
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Clarkson RISD
Location Potsdam, NY Providence, RI
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 3,719 2,620
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #220 #96
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarkson.edu risd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clarkson RISD
Tuition (In State) $54,960 $56,435
Tuition (Out of State) $54,960 $56,435
Room & Board $16,744 $15,234
Avg Net Price $32,450 $39,800
Avg Grant Aid $41,285 $37,480
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 34%

Admission

Clarkson RISD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,594 5,099
Admitted 5,171 888
Acceptance Rate 78.4% 17.4%
Enrolled % 11.5% 54.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 25/30 29/33
SAT Range 1190/1370 1340/1525
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024 Feb 1, 2024

Academics

Clarkson RISD
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Architecture (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • Precision Production Trades (4%)

Outcomes

Clarkson RISD
Graduation Rate 72% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $70,800 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Clarkson RISD
% Men 64% 33%
% Women 36% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 84% 31%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 26%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Clarkson RISD
% In-State 65% 1%
% Out-of-State 31% 58%

Campus

Clarkson RISD
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clarkson University is larger than than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,719 students vs. 2,620 students)

Clarkson vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or RISD?

  • Rhode Island School of Design is 2.7% more expensive to attend than Clarkson for in-state tuition ($56,435.00 vs. $54,960.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.7% higher at RISD than Clarkson University ($56,435.00 vs. $54,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clarkson University than RISD ($32,450 vs. $39,800)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 9.9% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($15,234 vs. $16,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University than Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 10.2% larger than aid received Rhode Island School of Design ($41,285 vs. $37,480)

Clarkson vs. RISD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or RISD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RISD or Clarkson .

  • The average SAT score at Rhode Island School of Design (1273) is 75 points higher than at Clarkson (1198)
  • Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Clarkson (27)
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at RISD (3.71)
  • Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than RISD (17.4%)

Clarkson vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clarkson or RISD? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RISD and Clarkson.

  • The graduation rate at RISD is higher than Clarkson University (87% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $19,700 more per year than RISD graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $51,100)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Clarkson graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Clarkson graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/