Holy Cross vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Holy Cross vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross than RISD ($36,014 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 11.7% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($16,626 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $1,812 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Holy Cross than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $1,812 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Rhode Island School of Design (57% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 16% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($44,334 vs. $38,223).

Holy Cross vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 130 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming RISD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• RISD has a higher acceptance rate (18.7%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Holy Cross vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross 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).

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, RISD graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.