Cornell vs. RISD

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

Cornell University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell. Average net price is $26,361 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Cornell 93% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cornell $98,400 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Cornell University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Cornell8.8%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Cornell1500-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Cornell $17,131 less
Cornell$26,361
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $6,626 less
Cornell$69,314
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $6,626 less
Cornell$69,314
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Cornell +6 pts
Cornell93%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$47,300
Cornell$98,400
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cornell 62,993
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Cornell 5,516
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell 1540
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cornell 3.9
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cornell A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cornell Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Cornell Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Cornell 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Cornell Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Cornell $19,428
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Cornell $26,361
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Cornell $61,779
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cornell 48%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cornell 93%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cornell $98,400
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cornell 87%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cornell $12,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Cornell $124
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cornell 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Cornell Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell 26,793
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cornell #19
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Cornell 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: Cornell 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 14.4% lower than at Cornell University ($16,626 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Cornell than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,626 more per year; $69,314 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at Rhode Island School of Design (48% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 61.6% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($61,779 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Cornell than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Cornell, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cornell average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($124 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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