UConn vs. RISD

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

University of Connecticut
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 52.4%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: UConn. Average net price is $25,310 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: UConn 83% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UConn $62,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Connecticut Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
UConn52.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
UConn1210-1440
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
UConn $18,182 less
UConn$25,310
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
UConn $41,644 less
UConn$21,044
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
UConn $18,976 less
UConn$43,712
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +4 pts
UConn83%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
UConn +$10,900
UConn$62,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UConn 55,479
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • UConn 29,065
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • UConn 52.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UConn 15.4%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UConn 1330
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • UConn 30
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • UConn 3.74
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • UConn A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UConn Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • UConn Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • UConn 1210-1440
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • UConn 28-33
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • UConn Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UConn Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UConn $21,044
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UConn $43,712
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • UConn $14,380
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • UConn $25,310
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • UConn $16,503
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UConn 81%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • UConn 83%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UConn $62,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UConn 78%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UConn $21,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UConn $222
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UConn 17:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UConn
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • UConn Storrs, CT
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • UConn Town Fringe
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • UConn 28,306
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • UConn Public 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UConn #106
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

University of Connecticut is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (28,306 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Connecticut is located in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Connecticut 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: University of Connecticut 17:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 13.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($14,380 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at RISD than at University of Connecticut (about $18,976 more per year; $62,688 vs. $43,712).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Connecticut than at Rhode Island School of Design (81% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 131.6% larger than aid received by University of Connecticut students ($38,223 vs. $16,503).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RISD than at UConn (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UConn and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UConn Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UConn average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at UConn vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Connecticut graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, UConn graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UConn students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 78%).

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

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