Hamilton College vs. RISD

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

Hamilton College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Hamilton College (13.6% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hamilton College. Average net price is $28,719 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Hamilton College 89% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hamilton College $79,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Hamilton College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Hamilton College more selective
Hamilton College13.6%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hamilton College higher
Hamilton College1450-1550
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Hamilton College $14,773 less
Hamilton College$28,719
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $6,272 less
Hamilton College$68,960
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $6,272 less
Hamilton College$68,960
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Hamilton College +2 pts
Hamilton College89%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Hamilton College +$27,900
Hamilton College$79,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hamilton College 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hamilton College A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Hamilton College 1450-1550
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Hamilton College 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Hamilton College $162
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hamilton College #26
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,031 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Hamilton 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: Hamilton College 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 5% lower than at Hamilton College ($16,626 vs. $17,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Hamilton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,272 more per year; $68,960 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (56% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($55,511 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Hamilton College than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hamilton College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hamilton College average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $11,240 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($15,760 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($162 vs. $279).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 89%).

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

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