Lafayette College vs. RISD

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

Lafayette College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lafayette College. Average net price is $38,442 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Lafayette College 88% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lafayette College $81,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Lafayette College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Lafayette College31.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Lafayette College1350-1500
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Lafayette College $5,050 less
Lafayette College$38,442
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $2,710 less
Lafayette College$65,398
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $2,710 less
Lafayette College$65,398
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +1 pts
Lafayette College88%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$29,900
Lafayette College$81,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lafayette College 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lafayette College A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Lafayette College High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Lafayette College $268
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lafayette College #69
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Lafayette 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: Lafayette College 10:1; 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 16.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,626 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Lafayette College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,710 more per year; $65,398 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Rhode Island School of Design (61% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 17% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($44,707 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Lafayette College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lafayette College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (91% 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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