Tufts vs. RISD

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

Tufts University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Tufts (11.5% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Tufts. Average net price is $32,367 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Tufts 90% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Tufts $83,100 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Tufts University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Tufts more selective
Tufts11.5%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Tufts higher
Tufts1470-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Tufts $11,125 less
Tufts$32,367
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $8,016 less
Tufts$70,704
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $8,016 less
Tufts$70,704
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Tufts +3 pts
Tufts90%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tufts +$32,000
Tufts$83,100
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Tufts 34,432
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Tufts 3,957
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Tufts 1520
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Tufts 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Tufts 3.91
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Tufts A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Tufts Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Tufts Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Tufts 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Tufts Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Tufts $18,588
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Tufts $32,367
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Tufts $55,933
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Tufts 39%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Tufts 90%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Tufts $83,100
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Tufts 91%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Tufts $18,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Tufts $186
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Tufts 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Tufts 13,599
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Tufts #33
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Tufts University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Tufts University 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: Tufts University 10:1; 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 10.6% lower than at Tufts University ($16,626 vs. $18,588).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Tufts than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $8,016 more per year; $70,704 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tufts University than at Rhode Island School of Design (39% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($55,933 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Tufts than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Tufts and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Tufts average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($18,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($186 vs. $279).
  • More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 89%).

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

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