Oberlin vs. RISD

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

Oberlin College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 34.2%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RISD. Average net price is $43,492 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: Oberlin 88% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Oberlin $43,900 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Oberlin College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Oberlin34.2%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Oberlin1360-1520
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RISD $8,132 less
Oberlin$51,624
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $4,678 less
Oberlin$67,366
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $4,678 less
Oberlin$67,366
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Oberlin +1 pts
Oberlin88%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RISD +$7,200
Oberlin$43,900
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Oberlin 1440
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Oberlin 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Oberlin A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Oberlin High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Oberlin 99%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Oberlin 88%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Oberlin 82%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Oberlin $274
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Oberlin #153
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Oberlin College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Oberlin 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: Oberlin College 9:1; 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 14.8% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,626 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Oberlin than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,678 more per year; $67,366 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($38,223 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Oberlin students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Oberlin and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 82%).

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

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