MIT vs. RISD

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIT (4.5% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: MIT. Average net price is $20,996 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: MIT 93% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MIT $142,100 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
MIT more selective
MIT4.5%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MIT higher
MIT1520-1580
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
MIT $22,496 less
MIT$20,996
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
MIT $292 less
MIT$62,396
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
MIT $292 less
MIT$62,396
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
MIT +6 pts
MIT93%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
MIT +$91,000
MIT$142,100
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MIT 28,232
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • MIT 1,284
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • MIT 4.5%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MIT 85.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MIT 1550
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • MIT 35
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • MIT 3.96
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • MIT A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • MIT Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • MIT Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • MIT 1520-1580
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • MIT 34-36
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • MIT Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MIT Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MIT $62,396
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • MIT $20,280
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • MIT $20,996
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • MIT $61,734
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MIT 59%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • MIT 93%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MIT $142,100
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • MIT 92%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MIT $17,316
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • MIT $179
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MIT 3:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • MIT
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (13%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • MIT Cambridge, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • MIT Midsize City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • MIT 11,886
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • MIT Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MIT #8
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; 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 18% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($16,626 vs. $20,280).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at RISD than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $292 more per year; $62,688 vs. $62,396).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Rhode Island School of Design (59% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 61.5% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($61,734 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at MIT than at RISD (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at MIT, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MIT average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $9,684 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($17,316 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($179 vs. $279).
  • More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (92% 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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