Columbia vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Columbia vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than RISD ($22,520 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 5.4% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,626 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $9,157 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Columbia than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $9,157 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Rhode Island School of Design (52% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 75.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($67,010 vs. $38,223).

Columbia vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 90 points higher than at RISD (1460).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RISD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at RISD (3.71).
• RISD has a higher acceptance rate (18.7%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Columbia vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $56,500 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.