Houghton University vs. RISD

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

Houghton University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Houghton University. Average net price is $21,274 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Houghton University 68% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Houghton University $44,300 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Houghton University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Houghton University88.7%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Houghton University1170-1375
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Houghton University $22,218 less
Houghton University$21,274
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Houghton University $44,258 less
Houghton University$18,430
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Houghton University $44,258 less
Houghton University$18,430
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +19 pts
Houghton University68%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RISD +$6,800
Houghton University$44,300
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Houghton University 1,041
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Houghton University 923
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Houghton University 88.7%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Houghton University 23.2%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Houghton University 1270
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Houghton University 28
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Houghton University 3.25
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Houghton University B+
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Houghton University Difficult
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Houghton University
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Houghton University 1170-1375
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Houghton University 26-31
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Houghton University Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Houghton University
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Houghton University $11,360
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Houghton University $21,274
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Houghton University $9,902
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Houghton University 100%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Houghton University 68%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Houghton University $44,300
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Houghton University 77%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Houghton University $25,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Houghton University $263
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Houghton University 12:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Houghton University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Houghton University Houghton, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Houghton University Remote Rural
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Houghton University 1,200
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Houghton University Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Houghton University #432
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, 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 Houghton University based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,200 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Houghton 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: Houghton University 12:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 31.7% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($11,360 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 240.1% higher at RISD than at Houghton University (about $44,258 more per year; $62,688 vs. $18,430).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 286% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($38,223 vs. $9,902).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at RISD than at Houghton University (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Houghton University and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Houghton University (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($263 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Houghton University 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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