Bard College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Bard 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: Bard College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Bard College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or RISD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bard College than RISD ($29,320 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 11.8% lower than at Bard College ($16,626 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $3,748 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Bard College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $3,748 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Rhode Island School of Design (74% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 44.5% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($55,235 vs. $38,223).

Bard College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or RISD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RISD and Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 100 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Bard College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and RISD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rhode Island School of Design's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island School of Design earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.