Brandeis University vs. RISD

Should I go to Brandeis University or Rhode Island School of Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brandeis University or RISD is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Brandeis University vs. Rhode Island School of Design comparison
Brandeis University Rhode Island School of Design College 3 College 4
Brandeis University Rhode Island School of Design
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Overview

Brandeis University RISD
Location Waltham, MA Providence, RI
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 5,581 2,620
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #90 #96
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brandeis.edu risd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brandeis University RISD
Tuition (In State) $61,724 $56,435
Tuition (Out of State) $61,724 $56,435
Room & Board $17,092 $15,234
Avg Net Price $45,565 $39,800
Avg Grant Aid $33,733 $37,480
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 34%

Admission

Brandeis University RISD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,917 5,099
Admitted 3,908 888
Acceptance Rate 39.4% 17.4%
Enrolled % 25.2% 54.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional
Applicant Competition High Very High
ACT Range 31/34 29/33
SAT Range 1370/1530 1340/1525
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Brandeis University RISD
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Architecture (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • Precision Production Trades (4%)

Outcomes

Brandeis University RISD
Graduation Rate 91% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,700 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Brandeis University RISD
% Men 43% 33%
% Women 57% 67%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 47% 31%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 20% 26%
% Unknown Race 5% 8%

Students

Brandeis University RISD
% In-State 22% 1%
% Out-of-State 57% 58%

Campus

Brandeis University RISD
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Brandeis University is larger than than RISD based on total student enrollment (5,581 students vs. 2,620 students)

Brandeis University vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or RISD?

  • Brandeis University is 9.4% more expensive to attend than RISD for in-state tuition ($61,724.00 vs. $56,435.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.4% higher at Brandeis University than Rhode Island School of Design ($61,724.00 vs. $56,435.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island School of Design than Brandeis University ($39,800 vs. $45,565)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 12.2% lower than costs at Brandeis University ($15,234 vs. $17,092)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brandeis University than Rhode Island School of Design (64% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 11.1% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($37,480 vs. $33,733)

Brandeis University vs. RISD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or RISD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RISD or Brandeis University .

  • The average SAT score at Brandeis University (1360) is 87 points higher than at RISD (1273)
  • Incoming Brandeis University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at RISD (29)
  • Accepted freshman Brandeis University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at RISD (3.71)
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (39.4%) than RISD (17.4%)

Brandeis University vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brandeis University or RISD? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RISD and Brandeis University.

  • The graduation rate at Brandeis University is higher than Rhode Island School of Design (91% vs. 87%)
  • Graduates from Brandeis University earn on average $15,600 more per year than RISD graduates after ten years. ($66,700 vs. $51,100)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Brandeis University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Brandeis University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/