RISD vs. Middlebury

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

Rhode Island School of Design
Middlebury College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Middlebury (10.7% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Middlebury. Average net price is $26,233 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: RISD 87% vs Middlebury 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RISD $51,100 vs Middlebury $72,400 (median).
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Key differences

Rhode Island School of Design Middlebury College
Acceptance rate
Middlebury more selective
RISD18.7%
Middlebury10.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Middlebury higher
RISD1396-1530
Middlebury1445-1550
Average net price
Middlebury $17,259 less
RISD$43,492
Middlebury$26,233
In-state tuition
RISD $4,912 less
RISD$62,688
Middlebury$67,600
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $4,912 less
RISD$62,688
Middlebury$67,600
Graduation rate
Middlebury +3 pts
RISD87%
Middlebury90%
Median earnings (10 years)
Middlebury +$21,300
RISD$51,100
Middlebury$72,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RISD 6,692
  • Middlebury 12,540
  • Admitted
  • RISD 1,249
  • Middlebury 1,348
  • Acceptance rate
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Middlebury 10.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Middlebury 44.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RISD 1460
  • Middlebury 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • RISD 32
  • Middlebury 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • RISD 3.71
  • Middlebury 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • RISD A-
  • Middlebury A
  • Admissions standards
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Middlebury Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • RISD Very High
  • Middlebury Very High
  • SAT range
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • Middlebury 1445-1550
  • ACT range
  • RISD 31-34
  • Middlebury 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • RISD Test optional
  • Middlebury Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Middlebury Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RISD $62,688
  • Middlebury $67,600
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RISD $62,688
  • Middlebury $67,600
  • Room & board
  • RISD $16,626
  • Middlebury $19,250
  • Average net price
  • RISD $43,492
  • Middlebury $26,233
  • Average grant aid
  • RISD $38,223
  • Middlebury $59,647
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RISD 31%
  • Middlebury 47%
  • Graduation rate
  • RISD 87%
  • Middlebury 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RISD $51,100
  • Middlebury $72,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • RISD 89%
  • Middlebury 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RISD $27,000
  • Middlebury $15,889
  • Median loan payment
  • RISD $279
  • Middlebury $164
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RISD 8:1
  • Middlebury 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Middlebury
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Middlebury Middlebury, VT
  • Setting
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Middlebury Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • RISD 2,520
  • Middlebury 2,803
  • Type
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • Middlebury Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RISD #92
  • Middlebury #24

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island School of Design 8:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 13.6% lower than at Middlebury College ($16,626 vs. $19,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Middlebury than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,912 more per year; $67,600 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Middlebury College than at Rhode Island School of Design (47% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 56.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($59,647 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Middlebury than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RISD and Middlebury.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Middlebury average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.5% at RISD vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $11,111 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($15,889 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($164 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middlebury students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 88%).

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

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