Carleton College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN 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 Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Carleton 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: Carleton College 8:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Carleton College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton 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 Carleton College than RISD ($28,047 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 5.5% lower than at Carleton College ($16,626 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $6,204 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Carleton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,204 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (59% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 48.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($56,846 vs. $38,223).

Carleton College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton 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 Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 50 points higher than at RISD (1460).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at RISD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Carleton College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.