Carnegie Mellon vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon 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: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon University than RISD ($35,552 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 8.5% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,626 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $3,558 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $3,558 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Rhode Island School of Design (51% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($48,107 vs. $38,223).

Carnegie Mellon vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 80 points higher than at RISD (1460).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RISD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at RISD (3.71).
• RISD has a higher acceptance rate (18.7%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Carnegie Mellon vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon is the same as at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $51,600 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.