Vassar vs. RISD

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

Vassar College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vassar (18.6% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vassar. Average net price is $29,981 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Vassar 91% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Vassar $58,400 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Vassar College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Vassar more selective
Vassar18.6%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vassar higher
Vassar1450-1550
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Vassar $13,511 less
Vassar$29,981
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $8,342 less
Vassar$71,030
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $8,342 less
Vassar$71,030
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Vassar +4 pts
Vassar91%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vassar +$7,300
Vassar$58,400
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Vassar 12,447
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Vassar 2,311
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Vassar 1500
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Vassar 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Vassar 3.86
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Vassar A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Vassar Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Vassar Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Vassar 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Vassar Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Vassar $71,030
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Vassar $71,030
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Vassar $18,240
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Vassar $29,981
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Vassar $57,443
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Vassar 55%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Vassar 91%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Vassar $58,400
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Vassar 92%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Vassar $15,780
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Vassar $163
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Vassar 7:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Vassar 2,462
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Vassar #46
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, 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 Vassar based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,462 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Vassar 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: Vassar College 7:1; 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 8.8% lower than at Vassar College ($16,626 vs. $18,240).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Vassar than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $8,342 more per year; $71,030 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Rhode Island School of Design (55% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 50.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($57,443 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Vassar than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Vassar and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vassar average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $11,220 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($163 vs. $279).
  • More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 89%).

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

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