College of the Atlantic vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Atlantic 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: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or RISD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of the Atlantic than RISD ($21,829 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 37.4% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($10,404 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $14,691 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at RISD than at College of the Atlantic (about $14,691 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 4.9% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($38,223 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Atlantic or RISD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RISD and College of the Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 120 points higher than at College of the Atlantic (1340).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 41.5% at RISD.

College of the Atlantic vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic and RISD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rhode Island School of Design's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island School of Design earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.