Dartmouth vs. RISD

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

Dartmouth College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Dartmouth (5.4% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Dartmouth. Average net price is $20,322 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Dartmouth 95% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Dartmouth $104,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Dartmouth College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Dartmouth more selective
Dartmouth5.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Dartmouth higher
Dartmouth1500-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Dartmouth $23,170 less
Dartmouth$20,322
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,580 less
Dartmouth$68,268
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,580 less
Dartmouth$68,268
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Dartmouth +8 pts
Dartmouth95%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Dartmouth +$52,900
Dartmouth$104,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Dartmouth 31,656
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Dartmouth 1,710
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Dartmouth 5.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Dartmouth 69.1%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Dartmouth 1540
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Dartmouth 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Dartmouth 3.9
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Dartmouth A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Dartmouth Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Dartmouth Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Dartmouth 1500-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Dartmouth 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Dartmouth Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Dartmouth $68,268
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Dartmouth $68,268
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Dartmouth $19,999
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Dartmouth $20,322
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Dartmouth $67,471
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Dartmouth 47%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Dartmouth 95%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Dartmouth $104,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Dartmouth 87%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Dartmouth $13,461
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Dartmouth $139
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Dartmouth 7:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Dartmouth
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Dartmouth Hanover, NH
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Dartmouth Remote Town
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Dartmouth 6,938
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Dartmouth Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Dartmouth #12
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Dartmouth College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Dartmouth 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: Dartmouth College 7:1; 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 16.9% lower than at Dartmouth College ($16,626 vs. $19,999).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Dartmouth than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,580 more per year; $68,268 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dartmouth College than at Rhode Island School of Design (47% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 76.5% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($67,471 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Dartmouth than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Dartmouth, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Dartmouth average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $13,539 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($13,461 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($139 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dartmouth 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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