Bryn Mawr vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Bryn Mawr 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: Bryn Mawr College 8:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Bryn Mawr vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bryn Mawr 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 Bryn Mawr College than RISD ($33,221 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 14.3% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($16,626 vs. $19,400).
• Bryn Mawr College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $3,232 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Bryn Mawr than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $3,232 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Rhode Island School of Design (72% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Mawr College students is 30.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($50,029 vs. $38,223).

Bryn Mawr vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bryn Mawr 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 Bryn Mawr.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 60 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bryn Mawr College 29/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bryn Mawr - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bryn Mawr students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Bryn Mawr vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Bryn Mawr vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bryn Mawr 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).

• The graduation rate at Bryn Mawr is the same as at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Bryn Mawr College earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bryn Mawr College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bryn Mawr graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.