Lehigh vs. RISD

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

Lehigh University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 25.9%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lehigh. Average net price is $34,154 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Lehigh 87% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lehigh $89,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Lehigh University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Lehigh25.9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Lehigh1370-1500
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Lehigh $9,338 less
Lehigh$34,154
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $2,292 less
Lehigh$64,980
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $2,292 less
Lehigh$64,980
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Lehigh +0 pts
Lehigh87%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$38,100
Lehigh$89,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lehigh 1440
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lehigh 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lehigh A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Lehigh High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lehigh 65%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lehigh 87%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lehigh 89%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Lehigh $250
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Lehigh Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lehigh #53
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Lehigh 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: Lehigh University 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 3.4% lower than at Lehigh University ($16,626 vs. $17,220).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Lehigh than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,292 more per year; $64,980 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Rhode Island School of Design (65% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($46,731 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Lehigh students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lehigh and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lehigh average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (89% 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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