Union College vs. RISD

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

Union College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $42,137 at Union College vs $43,492 at RISD. Union College in-state tuition is about $6,351 more per year.
  • Graduation: Union College 86% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Union College $74,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Union College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Union College43.9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Union College1310-1480
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
About even
Union College$42,137
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $6,351 less
Union College$69,039
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $6,351 less
Union College$69,039
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +1 pts
Union College86%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Union College +$23,100
Union College$74,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Union College 8,210
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Union College 3,606
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Union College 43.9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Union College 13.9%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Union College 1400
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Union College 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Union College 3.5
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Union College A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Union College Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Union College Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Union College 29-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Union College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Union College $69,039
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Union College $69,039
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Union College $17,010
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Union College $42,137
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Union College $42,534
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Union College 96%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Union College 86%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Union College $74,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Union College 86%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Union College $27,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Union College $279
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Union College 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Union College Small City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Union College 2,065
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Union College #84
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Union College in Schenectady, NY 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 Union College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Union 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: Union College 9:1; 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 2.3% lower than at Union College ($16,626 vs. $17,010).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Union College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,351 more per year; $69,039 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Rhode Island School of Design (96% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($42,534 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at Union College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Union College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and Union College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and Union College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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