Williams vs. RISD

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

Williams College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Williams College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Williams $27,598 less
Williams$15,894
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $5,872 less
Williams$68,560
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $5,872 less
Williams$68,560
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Williams +8 pts
Williams95%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Williams +$22,500
Williams$73,600
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Williams and RISD with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Williams Check my chances at RISD
  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, 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 Williams based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Williams 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: Williams College 6:1; 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 3.7% lower than at Williams College ($16,626 vs. $17,260).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Williams than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,872 more per year; $68,560 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Rhode Island School of Design (54% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 80.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($68,966 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Williams than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($150 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Williams College
Rhode Island School of Design
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges