NYU vs. RISD

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

New York University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NYU (9.2% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: NYU. Average net price is $30,325 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: NYU 86% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NYU $76,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

New York University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
NYU more selective
NYU9.2%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NYU higher
NYU1480-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
NYU $13,167 less
NYU$30,325
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $108 less
NYU$62,796
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $108 less
NYU$62,796
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +1 pts
NYU86%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
NYU +$24,900
NYU$76,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NYU 110,807
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • NYU 10,232
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • NYU 9.2%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NYU 55.4%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NYU 1520
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • NYU 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • NYU 3.79
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • NYU A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • NYU Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • NYU Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • NYU 1480-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • NYU 34-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • NYU Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NYU
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NYU $62,796
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NYU $62,796
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • NYU $23,530
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • NYU $30,325
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • NYU $53,901
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NYU 37%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • NYU 86%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NYU $76,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • NYU 77%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NYU $23,250
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • NYU $240
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NYU 8:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • NYU
    • Business (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • NYU New York, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • NYU Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • NYU 56,832
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • NYU Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NYU #43
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

New York University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (56,832 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • New York University is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • New York 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: New York University 8:1; 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 29.3% lower than at New York University ($16,626 vs. $23,530).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at NYU than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $108 more per year; $62,796 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at New York University than at Rhode Island School of Design (37% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New York University students is 41% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($53,901 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at NYU than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NYU and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NYU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.4% at NYU vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, New York University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NYU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NYU 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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