SUNY Stony Brook vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Stony Brook University 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: Stony Brook University 19:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or RISD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stony Brook University than RISD ($20,992 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 8.6% lower than at Stony Brook University ($16,626 vs. $18,196).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 473.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $51,757 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.5% higher at RISD than at Stony Brook University (about $29,947 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University 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 311.7% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($38,223 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Stony Brook or RISD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RISD and SUNY Stony Brook.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 40 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at SUNY Stony Brook).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at RISD (3.71).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 41.5% at RISD.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Stony Brook and RISD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rhode Island School of Design's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Stony Brook University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.