Connecticut College vs. RISD

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

Connecticut College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 37%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $45,700 at Connecticut College vs $43,492 at RISD. Connecticut College in-state tuition is about $4,554 more per year.
  • Graduation: Connecticut College 84% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Connecticut College $60,700 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Connecticut College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Connecticut College37%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Connecticut College1350-1500
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RISD $2,208 less
Connecticut College$45,700
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $4,554 less
Connecticut College$67,242
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $4,554 less
Connecticut College$67,242
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +3 pts
Connecticut College84%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Connecticut College +$9,600
Connecticut College$60,700
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Connecticut College 7,950
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Connecticut College 2,945
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Connecticut College 37%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Connecticut College 15.3%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Connecticut College 1430
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Connecticut College 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Connecticut College 3.7
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Connecticut College A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Connecticut College Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Connecticut College High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Connecticut College 1350-1500
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Connecticut College 30-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Connecticut College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Connecticut College $67,242
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Connecticut College $67,242
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Connecticut College $18,558
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Connecticut College $45,700
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Connecticut College $38,932
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Connecticut College 100%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Connecticut College 84%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Connecticut College $60,700
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Connecticut College 90%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Connecticut College $23,550
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Connecticut College $243
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Connecticut College 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Connecticut College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Connecticut College New London, CT
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Connecticut College Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Connecticut College 1,990
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Connecticut College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Connecticut College #93
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Connecticut College in New London, CT with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Connecticut College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,990 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Connecticut College is located in New London, CT (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Connecticut College 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: Connecticut College 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 10.4% lower than at Connecticut College ($16,626 vs. $18,558).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Connecticut College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,554 more per year; $67,242 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Connecticut College than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Connecticut College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($38,932 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at Connecticut College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Connecticut College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Connecticut College (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Connecticut College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Connecticut College graduates have a $3,450 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,550 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Connecticut College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($243 vs. $279).
  • More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 89%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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