Connecticut College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Connecticut College in New London, CT 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 Connecticut College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,990 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Connecticut College is located in New London, CT (Small City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Connecticut 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: Connecticut College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Connecticut College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut 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 Rhode Island School of Design than Connecticut College ($43,492 vs. $45,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 10.4% lower than at Connecticut College ($16,626 vs. $18,558).
• Connecticut College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $4,554 more per year; $67,242.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Connecticut College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,554 more per year; $67,242.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Connecticut College than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Connecticut College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($38,932 vs. $38,223).

Connecticut College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 30 points higher than at Connecticut College (1430).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Connecticut College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 1350/1500; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 30/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Connecticut College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Connecticut College (3.7).
• Connecticut College has a higher acceptance rate (37%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Connecticut College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Connecticut College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Connecticut 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).

• Rhode Island School of Design's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Connecticut College's (84%).
• Graduates from Connecticut College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Connecticut College graduates have a $3,450 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,550 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Connecticut College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($243 vs. $279).
• More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.