Muhlenberg College vs. RISD

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

Muhlenberg College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 72%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Muhlenberg College. Average net price is $34,739 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Muhlenberg College 86% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Muhlenberg College $63,700 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Muhlenberg College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Muhlenberg College72%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Muhlenberg College1250-1410
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Muhlenberg College $8,753 less
Muhlenberg College$34,739
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $117 less
Muhlenberg College$62,805
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $117 less
Muhlenberg College$62,805
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +1 pts
Muhlenberg College86%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Muhlenberg College +$12,600
Muhlenberg College$63,700
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Muhlenberg College 4,963
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Muhlenberg College 3,573
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Muhlenberg College 72%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Muhlenberg College 13%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Muhlenberg College 1330
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Muhlenberg College 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Muhlenberg College 3.44
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Muhlenberg College B+
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Muhlenberg College Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Muhlenberg College Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Muhlenberg College 1250-1410
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Muhlenberg College 29-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Muhlenberg College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Muhlenberg College $14,548
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Muhlenberg College $34,739
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Muhlenberg College $42,545
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Muhlenberg College 99%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Muhlenberg College 86%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Muhlenberg College $63,700
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Muhlenberg College 84%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Muhlenberg College $26,490
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Muhlenberg College $273
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Muhlenberg College 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Muhlenberg College
    • Business (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Muhlenberg College Midsize City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Muhlenberg College 1,788
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Muhlenberg College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Muhlenberg College #96
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA 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 Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Muhlenberg 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: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 12.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($14,548 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $117 more per year; $62,805 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($42,545 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at Muhlenberg College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Muhlenberg College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($273 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 84%).

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

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