Bryant University vs. RISD

Should I go to Bryant University or Rhode Island School of Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bryant 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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Bryant University vs. Rhode Island School of Design comparison
Bryant University Rhode Island School of Design College 3 College 4
Bryant University Rhode Island School of Design
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Overview

Bryant University RISD
Location Smithfield, RI Providence, RI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 3,592 2,540
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #202 #90
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bryant.edu risd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bryant University RISD
Tuition (In State) $50,272 $58,690
Tuition (Out of State) $50,272 $58,690
Room & Board $16,938 $15,850
Avg Net Price $40,612 $42,106
Avg Grant Aid $27,469 $36,743
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 33%

Admission

Bryant University RISD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,506 7,126
Admitted 6,241 984
Acceptance Rate 65.7% 13.8%
Enrolled % 15.2% 51.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 28/32 30/33
SAT Range 1160/1340 1370/1540
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, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Bryant University RISD
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (77%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Architecture (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • Precision Production Trades (4%)

Outcomes

Bryant University RISD
Graduation Rate 77% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $73,500 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Bryant University RISD
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 5% 13%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 73% 31%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 8% 26%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Bryant University RISD
% In-State 12% 1%
% Out-of-State 82% 61%

Campus

Bryant 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

  • Bryant University is larger than than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,592 students vs. 2,540 students)

Bryant University vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bryant University or RISD?

  • Rhode Island School of Design is 16.7% more expensive to attend than Bryant University for in-state tuition ($58,690.00 vs. $50,272.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.7% higher at RISD than Bryant University ($58,690.00 vs. $50,272.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bryant University than RISD ($40,612 vs. $42,106)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 6.9% lower than costs at Bryant University ($15,850 vs. $16,938)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bryant University than Rhode Island School of Design (98% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 33.8% larger than aid received Bryant University ($36,743 vs. $27,469)

Bryant University vs. RISD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Bryant University (3.43)
  • Bryant University has a higher acceptance rate (65.7%) than RISD (13.8%)

Bryant University vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bryant 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 Bryant University.

  • The graduation rate at RISD is higher than Bryant University (87% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Bryant University earn on average $22,400 more per year than RISD graduates after ten years. ($73,500 vs. $51,100)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Bryant University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Bryant 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 Bryant University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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