RIT vs. RISD

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

Rochester Institute of Technology
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 66.9%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: RIT . Average net price is $39,534 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: RIT 64% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RIT $64,900 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Rochester Institute of Technology Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
RIT 66.9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
RIT 1300-1460
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
RIT $3,958 less
RIT $39,534
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RIT $3,414 less
RIT $59,274
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RIT $3,414 less
RIT $59,274
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +23 pts
RIT 64%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RIT +$13,800
RIT $64,900
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RIT 27,911
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • RIT 18,682
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • RIT 66.9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RIT 16.3%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RIT 1380
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • RIT 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • RIT 3.7
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • RIT A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • RIT Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • RIT Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • RIT 1300-1460
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • RIT 29-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • RIT Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RIT Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RIT $59,274
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RIT $59,274
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • RIT $16,142
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • RIT $39,534
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • RIT $35,077
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RIT 98%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • RIT 64%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RIT $64,900
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • RIT 75%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RIT $28,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • RIT $289
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RIT 13:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • RIT
    • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Engineering Technology (11%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • RIT Rochester, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • RIT Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • RIT 17,098
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • RIT Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RIT #175
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Rochester Institute of Technology 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: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 2.9% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,142 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at RISD than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $3,414 more per year; $62,688 vs. $59,274).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Rhode Island School of Design (98% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 9% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($38,223 vs. $35,077).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at RIT (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RIT and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at RIT (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
  • Among borrowers, RISD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 75%).

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

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