Swarthmore vs. RISD

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

Swarthmore College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Swarthmore 95% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Swarthmore $65,800 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Swarthmore College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Swarthmore7.5%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Swarthmore1490-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Swarthmore $21,023 less
Swarthmore$22,469
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $2,806 less
Swarthmore$65,494
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $2,806 less
Swarthmore$65,494
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +8 pts
Swarthmore95%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Swarthmore +$14,700
Swarthmore$65,800
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Swarthmore 975
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Swarthmore 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Swarthmore A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Swarthmore $201
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Swarthmore #40
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Swarthmore College 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: Swarthmore College 7:1; 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 18.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,626 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Swarthmore than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,806 more per year; $65,494 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Rhode Island School of Design (57% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 61.2% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($61,634 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Swarthmore than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Swarthmore and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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