Penn vs. RISD

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

University of Pennsylvania
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn (5.4% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn. Average net price is $23,570 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Penn 96% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Penn $123,600 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Pennsylvania Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Penn more selective
Penn5.4%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn higher
Penn1510-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Penn $19,922 less
Penn$23,570
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,998 less
Penn$68,686
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,998 less
Penn$68,686
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Penn +9 pts
Penn96%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn +$72,500
Penn$123,600
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Penn 65,226
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Penn 3,523
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Penn 5.4%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Penn 68%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Penn 1540
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Penn 35
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Penn 3.95
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Penn A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Penn Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Penn Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Penn 1510-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Penn 34-36
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Penn Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Penn Jan 5, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Penn $68,686
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Penn $68,686
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Penn $19,174
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Penn $23,570
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Penn $65,458
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Penn 51%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Penn 96%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Penn $123,600
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Penn 84%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Penn $20,633
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Penn $213
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Penn 8:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Penn
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Penn Philadelphia, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Penn Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Penn 29,109
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Penn Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Penn #23
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Pennsylvania 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: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; 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 13.3% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,626 vs. $19,174).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Penn than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,998 more per year; $68,686 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Rhode Island School of Design (51% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 71.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($65,458 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Penn than at RISD (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Penn, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Penn average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($213 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 84%).

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

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