Rutgers vs. RISD

Rutgers University New Brunswick and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rutgers University New Brunswick
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 58.1%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1410.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rutgers. Average net price is $20,522 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Rutgers 77% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Rutgers $66,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Rutgers University New Brunswick Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Rutgers58.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Rutgers1310-1500
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Rutgers $22,970 less
Rutgers$20,522
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Rutgers $44,759 less
Rutgers$17,929
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Rutgers $25,247 less
Rutgers$37,441
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +10 pts
Rutgers77%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rutgers +$15,100
Rutgers$66,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Rutgers 68,614
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Rutgers 39,899
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Rutgers 58.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Rutgers 20.5%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rutgers 1410
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rutgers 30
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Rutgers 3.3
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Rutgers B+
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Rutgers Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Rutgers Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Rutgers 1310-1500
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Rutgers 28-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Rutgers Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Rutgers
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Rutgers $17,929
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Rutgers $37,441
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Rutgers $15,714
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Rutgers $20,522
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Rutgers $16,742
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Rutgers 50%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Rutgers 77%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Rutgers $66,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Rutgers 68%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Rutgers $22,215
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Rutgers $229
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Rutgers 16:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Rutgers
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Rutgers New Brunswick, NJ
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Rutgers Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Rutgers 52,269
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Rutgers Public 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Rutgers #114
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 5.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,714 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67.4% higher at RISD than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $25,247 more per year; $62,688 vs. $37,441).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University New Brunswick than at Rhode Island School of Design (50% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 128.3% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($38,223 vs. $16,742).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RISD than at Rutgers (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Rutgers and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Rutgers (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $4,785 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($22,215 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($229 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 68%).

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

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