Harvard vs. RISD

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

Harvard University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Harvard $25,967 less
Harvard$17,525
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Harvard $1,012 less
Harvard$61,676
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $1,012 less
Harvard$61,676
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Harvard +10 pts
Harvard97%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$85,600
Harvard$136,700
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Harvard 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: Harvard University 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 21.5% lower than at Harvard University ($16,626 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at RISD than at Harvard University (about $1,012 more per year; $62,688 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvard University than at Rhode Island School of Design (56% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 77.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($68,015 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Harvard than at RISD (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($67 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 70%).

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

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