Wellesley vs. RISD

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

Wellesley College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wellesley (14% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Wellesley 92% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wellesley $68,100 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Wellesley College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Wellesley more selective
Wellesley14%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wellesley higher
Wellesley1460-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Wellesley $21,318 less
Wellesley$22,174
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $4,488 less
Wellesley$67,176
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $4,488 less
Wellesley$67,176
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Wellesley +5 pts
Wellesley92%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wellesley +$17,000
Wellesley$68,100
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wellesley 14%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wellesley 1510
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wellesley 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wellesley A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Wellesley Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Wellesley Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wellesley 54%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wellesley 92%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wellesley 86%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Wellesley $92
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wellesley #18
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA 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 Wellesley based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,407 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Wellesley 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: Wellesley 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 20.9% lower than at Wellesley College ($16,626 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Wellesley than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,488 more per year; $67,176 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Rhode Island School of Design (54% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 67.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($64,116 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Wellesley than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wellesley and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wellesley average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,100 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $187 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($92 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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