Reed vs. RISD

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

Reed College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 24.6%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1410.
  • Cheaper after aid: Reed. Average net price is $30,953 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Reed 80% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Reed $47,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Reed College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Reed24.6%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Reed1290-1520
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Reed $12,539 less
Reed$30,953
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $6,662 less
Reed$69,350
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $6,662 less
Reed$69,350
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +7 pts
Reed80%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RISD +$3,900
Reed$47,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Reed 9,431
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Reed 2,321
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Reed 24.6%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Reed 13.1%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Reed 1410
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Reed 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Reed 4.0
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Reed A/A+
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Reed Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Reed High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Reed 1290-1520
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Reed 30-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Reed Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Reed
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Reed $69,350
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Reed $69,350
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Reed $17,660
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Reed $30,953
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Reed $55,445
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Reed 58%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Reed 80%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Reed $47,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Reed 84%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Reed $16,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Reed $165
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Reed 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Reed
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Foreign Languages (15%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Reed Portland, OR
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Reed Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Reed 1,358
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Reed Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Reed #77
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Reed College in Portland, OR 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 Reed based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,358 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Reed College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Reed 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: Reed 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 5.9% lower than at Reed College ($16,626 vs. $17,660).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Reed than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,662 more per year; $69,350 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Rhode Island School of Design (58% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 45.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($55,445 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Reed students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Reed and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Reed average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Reed vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($16,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($165 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed 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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