Dickinson College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, 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 Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Dickinson 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: Dickinson College 11:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Dickinson College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson 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 Dickinson College than RISD ($38,483 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 2.8% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,626 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $2,962 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Dickinson College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,962 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Rhode Island School of Design (96% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 16.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($44,479 vs. $38,223).

Dickinson College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 70 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Dickinson College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.