Hunter vs. RISD

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

CUNY Hunter College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 53.8%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hunter. Average net price is $4,431 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Hunter 46% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hunter $48,800 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

CUNY Hunter College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Hunter53.8%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Hunter1100-1420
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Hunter $39,061 less
Hunter$4,431
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Hunter $55,306 less
Hunter$7,382
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Hunter $47,356 less
Hunter$15,332
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +41 pts
Hunter46%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RISD +$2,300
Hunter$48,800
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Hunter 32,271
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Hunter 17,362
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hunter 53.8%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hunter 16.7%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hunter 1260
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hunter
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hunter 3.7
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hunter A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Hunter Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Hunter Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Hunter 1100-1420
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Hunter
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Hunter Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hunter
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hunter $7,382
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hunter $15,332
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Hunter $11,832
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Hunter $4,431
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Hunter $9,755
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hunter 87%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hunter 46%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hunter $48,800
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hunter 56%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hunter $11,548
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Hunter $119
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hunter 14:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hunter
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Psychology (16%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Hunter New York, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Hunter Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hunter 22,538
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Hunter Public 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hunter #297
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY Hunter College in New York, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

CUNY Hunter College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (22,538 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • CUNY Hunter College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • CUNY Hunter College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY Hunter College 14:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 28.8% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($11,832 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 308.9% higher at RISD than at CUNY Hunter College (about $47,356 more per year; $62,688 vs. $15,332).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 291.8% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($38,223 vs. $9,755).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hunter and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Hunter (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Hunter vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $15,452 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($11,548 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($119 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 56%).

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

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