Fordham vs. RISD

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

Fordham University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 59.3%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: RISD. Average net price is $43,492 vs $48,190 at Fordham.
  • Graduation: Fordham 78% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fordham $64,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Fordham University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Fordham59.3%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Fordham1320-1480
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RISD $4,698 less
Fordham$48,190
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $2,227 less
Fordham$64,915
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $2,227 less
Fordham$64,915
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +9 pts
Fordham78%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Fordham +$13,100
Fordham$64,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fordham 43,364
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Fordham 25,719
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fordham 59.3%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fordham 9.7%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fordham 1400
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fordham 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fordham 3.67
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fordham A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Fordham Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Fordham Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Fordham 1320-1480
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Fordham 30-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Fordham Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Fordham Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fordham $64,915
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fordham $64,915
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Fordham $24,090
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Fordham $48,190
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Fordham $35,988
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fordham 95%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fordham 78%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fordham $64,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fordham 77%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fordham $26,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Fordham $268
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fordham 14:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fordham
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Fordham Bronx, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Fordham Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fordham 16,150
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Fordham Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fordham #133
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Fordham 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: Fordham University 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 31% lower than at Fordham University ($16,626 vs. $24,090).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Fordham than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,227 more per year; $64,915 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Rhode Island School of Design (95% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($38,223 vs. $35,988).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at Fordham (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fordham and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Fordham (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fordham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 77%).

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

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