Clarkson vs. RISD

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

Clarkson University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Clarkson77.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Clarkson1200-1390
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Clarkson $11,086 less
Clarkson$32,406
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Clarkson $3,290 less
Clarkson$59,398
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $3,290 less
Clarkson$59,398
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +15 pts
Clarkson72%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$19,700
Clarkson$70,800
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Clarkson 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: Clarkson University 13:1; 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 8.9% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,626 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at RISD than at Clarkson University (about $3,290 more per year; $62,688 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 21.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($46,528 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at RISD than at Clarkson (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and Clarkson graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and Clarkson graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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