Yale vs. RISD

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

Yale University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Yale (3.9% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Yale. Average net price is $22,408 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Yale 97% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Yale $118,400 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Yale University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Yale more selective
Yale3.9%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Yale higher
Yale1470-1570
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Yale $21,084 less
Yale$22,408
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $4,562 less
Yale$67,250
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $4,562 less
Yale$67,250
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Yale +10 pts
Yale97%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Yale +$67,300
Yale$118,400
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Yale 57,517
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Yale 2,227
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Yale 3.9%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Yale 69.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Yale 1520
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Yale 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Yale 3.95
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Yale A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Yale Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Yale Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Yale 1470-1570
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Yale 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Yale Required
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Yale Jan 2, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Yale $19,900
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Yale $22,408
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Yale $65,892
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Yale 56%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Yale 97%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Yale $118,400
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Yale 84%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Yale $13,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Yale $139
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Yale 5:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Yale
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • History (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (7%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Yale New Haven, CT
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Yale Midsize City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Yale 15,564
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Yale Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Yale #5
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

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

Yale University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Yale 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: Yale University 5:1; 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 16.5% lower than at Yale University ($16,626 vs. $19,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Yale than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,562 more per year; $67,250 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Rhode Island School of Design (56% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 72.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($65,892 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Yale than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Yale, test optional at RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Yale average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($139 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 84%).

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

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