Brandeis University vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brandeis University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Brandeis 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: Brandeis University 10:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Brandeis University vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University 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 Rhode Island School of Design than Brandeis University ($43,492 vs. $43,550).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 16.6% lower than at Brandeis University ($16,626 vs. $19,944).
• Brandeis University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $5,392 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Brandeis University than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $5,392 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Rhode Island School of Design (62% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brandeis University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($42,841 vs. $38,223).

Brandeis University vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brandeis University (1460) is the same as at RISD (1460).
• Incoming Brandeis University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• 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 (40.5%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Brandeis University vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University 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).

• Brandeis University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from Brandeis University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and Brandeis University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and Brandeis University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.