Villanova vs. RISD

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

Villanova University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 27%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1450.
  • Cheaper after aid: Villanova. Average net price is $37,201 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Villanova 90% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Villanova $85,100 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Villanova University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Villanova27%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Villanova1395-1510
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Villanova $6,291 less
Villanova$37,201
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,088 less
Villanova$67,776
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,088 less
Villanova$67,776
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Villanova +3 pts
Villanova90%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Villanova +$34,000
Villanova$85,100
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Villanova 23,256
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Villanova 6,274
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Villanova 27%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Villanova 27.7%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Villanova 1450
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Villanova 33
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Villanova 3.87
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Villanova A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Villanova Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Villanova High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Villanova 1395-1510
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Villanova 32-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Villanova Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Villanova Jan 15, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Villanova $67,776
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Villanova $67,776
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Villanova $17,694
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Villanova $37,201
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Villanova $47,609
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Villanova 48%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Villanova 90%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Villanova $85,100
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Villanova 90%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Villanova $26,497
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Villanova $273
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Villanova 10:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Villanova
    • Business (32%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Villanova Villanova, PA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Villanova Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Villanova 10,041
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Villanova Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Villanova #67
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Villanova University is located in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Villanova University 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: Villanova University 10:1; 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 6% lower than at Villanova University ($16,626 vs. $17,694).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Villanova than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,088 more per year; $67,776 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Villanova University than at Rhode Island School of Design (48% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($47,609 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Villanova than at RISD (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Villanova and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Villanova Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Villanova average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.7% at Villanova vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Villanova University graduates have a $503 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,497 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Villanova graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($273 vs. $279).
  • More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation (90% 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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