UD vs. RISD

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

University of Delaware
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 70.6%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1280.
  • Cheaper after aid: UD. Average net price is $19,139 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: UD 78% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UD $61,300 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Delaware Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
UD70.6%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
UD1190-1370
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
UD $24,353 less
UD$19,139
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
UD $45,878 less
UD$16,810
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
UD $21,288 less
UD$41,400
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +9 pts
UD78%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
UD +$10,200
UD$61,300
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UD 39,995
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • UD 28,238
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • UD 70.6%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UD 15.7%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UD 1280
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • UD 30
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • UD 3.94
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • UD A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UD Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • UD Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • UD 1190-1370
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • UD 28-32
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • UD Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UD Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UD $16,810
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UD $41,400
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • UD $15,386
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • UD $19,139
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • UD $13,302
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UD 91%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • UD 78%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UD $61,300
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UD 80%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UD $24,203
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UD $250
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UD 16:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • UD
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • UD Newark, DE
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • UD Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • UD 24,412
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • UD Public 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UD #150
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

University of Delaware is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Delaware 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 Delaware 16:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Delaware are 7.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,386 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.4% higher at RISD than at University of Delaware (about $21,288 more per year; $62,688 vs. $41,400).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Rhode Island School of Design (91% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 187.3% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($38,223 vs. $13,302).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RISD than at UD (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UD and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UD average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,797 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($24,203 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UD students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 80%).

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

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