Fairfield University vs. RISD

Should I go to Fairfield University or Rhode Island School of Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or RISD is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fairfield University vs. Rhode Island School of Design comparison
Fairfield University Rhode Island School of Design College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Rhode Island School of Design
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Overview

Fairfield University RISD
Location Fairfield, CT Providence, RI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,019 2,620
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #96
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu risd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University RISD
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $56,435
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $56,435
Room & Board $16,750 $15,234
Avg Net Price $46,065 $39,800
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $37,480
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 34%

Admission

Fairfield University RISD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 5,099
Admitted 6,971 888
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 17.4%
Enrolled % 19.1% 54.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 28/31 29/33
SAT Range 1240/1370 1340/1525
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Fairfield University RISD
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Architecture (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • Precision Production Trades (4%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University RISD
Graduation Rate 82% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Fairfield University RISD
% Men 41% 33%
% Women 59% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 31%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 2% 26%
% Unknown Race 8% 8%

Students

Fairfield University RISD
% In-State 15% 1%
% Out-of-State 84% 58%

Campus

Fairfield University RISD
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than RISD based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 2,620 students)

Fairfield University vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or RISD?

  • Rhode Island School of Design is 5.2% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($56,435.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.2% higher at RISD than Fairfield University ($56,435.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island School of Design than Fairfield University ($39,800 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 10% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($15,234 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Rhode Island School of Design (94% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 48.3% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($37,480 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. RISD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or RISD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RISD or Fairfield University .

  • Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (52.2%) than RISD (17.4%)

Fairfield University vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or RISD? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RISD and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at RISD is higher than Fairfield University (87% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $26,000 more per year than RISD graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $51,100)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Fairfield University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Rhode Island School of Design and Fairfield University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/