Colgate vs. RISD

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

Colgate University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Colgate $14,756 less
Colgate$28,736
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $7,618 less
Colgate$70,306
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $7,618 less
Colgate$70,306
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Colgate +5 pts
Colgate92%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$24,200
Colgate$75,300
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Colgate 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: Colgate University 9:1; 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 5.6% lower than at Colgate University ($16,626 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Colgate than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $7,618 more per year; $70,306 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colgate University than at Rhode Island School of Design (43% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 52.6% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($58,334 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colgate than at RISD (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($166 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate 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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