Colby College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME 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 Colby College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Colby 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: Colby College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Colby College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby 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 Colby College than RISD ($16,219 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 7.1% lower than at Colby College ($16,626 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $6,912 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Colby College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,912 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Rhode Island School of Design (45% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 81% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($69,201 vs. $38,223).

Colby College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 50 points higher than at RISD (1460).
• Incoming Colby 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: Colby College 1460/1550; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at RISD (3.71).
• RISD has a higher acceptance rate (18.7%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Colby College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $22,300 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,655 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.