Northeastern vs. RISD

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

Northeastern University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northeastern. Average net price is $34,207 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Northeastern 77% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern $69,500 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Northeastern University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Northeastern5.2%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern higher
Northeastern1440-1540
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Northeastern $9,285 less
Northeastern$34,207
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $3,474 less
Northeastern$66,162
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $3,474 less
Northeastern$66,162
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +10 pts
Northeastern77%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northeastern +$18,400
Northeastern$69,500
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern 1490
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern 66%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern 77%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern 79%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern $288
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern #128
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 16:1; 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 15.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($16,626 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Northeastern than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $3,474 more per year; $66,162 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Rhode Island School of Design (66% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($50,421 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Northeastern than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northeastern and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, RISD graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($279 vs. $288).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 79%).

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

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