Emerson vs. RISD

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

Emerson College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: RISD. Average net price is $43,492 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Emerson51.3%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Emerson1270-1420
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RISD $9,940 less
Emerson$53,432
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Emerson $5,632 less
Emerson$57,056
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $5,632 less
Emerson$57,056
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +6 pts
Emerson81%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RISD +$1,900
Emerson$49,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Emerson 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: Emerson College 14:1; 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 20.5% lower than at Emerson College ($16,626 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at RISD than at Emerson College (about $5,632 more per year; $62,688 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Rhode Island School of Design (77% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 41.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($38,223 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RISD than at Emerson (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 80%).

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

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