URI vs. RISD

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

University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 72.2%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: URI. Average net price is $24,118 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: URI 63% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: URI $56,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
URI72.2%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
URI1020-1280
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
URI $19,374 less
URI$24,118
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
URI $45,746 less
URI$16,942
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
URI $25,542 less
URI$37,146
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +24 pts
URI63%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
URI +$5,100
URI$56,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • URI 26,987
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • URI 19,475
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • URI 72.2%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • URI 15.4%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • URI 1150
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • URI
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • URI 3.58
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • URI A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • URI Average
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • URI Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • URI 1020-1280
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • URI
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • URI Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • URI Feb 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • URI $16,942
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • URI $37,146
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • URI $15,607
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • URI $24,118
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • URI $12,578
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • URI 96%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • URI 63%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • URI $56,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • URI 69%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • URI $23,438
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • URI $242
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • URI 17:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • URI
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • URI Kingston, RI
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • URI Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • URI 17,210
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • URI Public 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • URI #425
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rhode Island is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (17,210 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 17:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rhode Island are 6.1% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,607 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 68.8% higher at RISD than at University of Rhode Island (about $25,542 more per year; $62,688 vs. $37,146).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rhode Island than at Rhode Island School of Design (96% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 203.9% larger than aid received by University of Rhode Island students ($38,223 vs. $12,578).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both URI and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: URI Feb 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at URI (3.58).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at URI vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rhode Island graduates have a $3,562 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,438 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, URI graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former URI students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 69%).

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

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