RPI vs. RISD

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RPI. Average net price is $38,887 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: RPI 84% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RPI $82,500 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
RPI63.5%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
RPI1375-1510
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RPI $4,605 less
RPI$38,887
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $1,393 less
RPI$64,081
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $1,393 less
RPI$64,081
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +3 pts
RPI84%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$31,400
RPI$82,500
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at RPI and RISD with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at RPI Check my chances at RISD
  • Applied
  • RPI 17,175
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • RPI 10,901
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • RPI 63.5%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RPI 12.1%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RPI 1440
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • RPI 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • RPI 3.88
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • RPI A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • RPI Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • RPI Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • RPI 30-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • RPI Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • RPI $18,120
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • RPI $38,887
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • RPI $43,517
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RPI 95%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • RPI 84%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RPI $82,500
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • RPI 92%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RPI $27,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • RPI $284
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RPI 14:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • RPI Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • RPI 7,040
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RPI #130
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; 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 8.2% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,626 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at RPI than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $1,393 more per year; $64,081 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Rhode Island School of Design (95% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 13.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($43,517 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming RPI students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RPI and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, RISD graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 89%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhode Island School of Design
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges