HMC vs. RISD

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

Harvey Mudd College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: HMC (12.7% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $43,966 at HMC vs $43,492 at RISD. HMC in-state tuition is about $5,925 more per year.
  • Graduation: HMC 84% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: HMC $84,900 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Harvey Mudd College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
HMC more selective
HMC12.7%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
HMC higher
HMC1500-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
About even
HMC$43,966
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,925 less
HMC$68,613
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,925 less
HMC$68,613
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +3 pts
HMC84%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
HMC +$33,800
HMC$84,900
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at HMC and RISD with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at HMC Check my chances at RISD
  • Applied
  • HMC 5,094
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • HMC 645
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • HMC 12.7%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • HMC 35.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HMC 1540
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • HMC 35
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • HMC 3.96
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • HMC A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • HMC Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • HMC Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • HMC 1500-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • HMC 34-36
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • HMC Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • HMC Jan 5, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • HMC $68,613
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • HMC $22,318
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • HMC $43,966
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • HMC $46,199
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • HMC 64%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • HMC 84%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • HMC $84,900
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • HMC -
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • HMC $25,540
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • HMC $264
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • HMC 8:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • HMC
    • Engineering (42%)
    • Physical Sciences (18%)
    • Mathematics (13%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • HMC Claremont, CA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • HMC Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • HMC 951
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • HMC Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • HMC
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA 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 HMC based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 951 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Harvey Mudd 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: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; 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 25.5% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($16,626 vs. $22,318).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at HMC than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,925 more per year; $68,613 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Rhode Island School of Design (64% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 20.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($46,199 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at HMC than at RISD (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both HMC and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at HMC average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvey Mudd College graduates have a $1,460 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($25,540 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, HMC graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($264 vs. $279).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Harvey Mudd College
Rhode Island School of Design
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges