Hamilton College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY 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 Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Hamilton 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: Hamilton College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Hamilton College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than RISD ($28,719 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 5% lower than at Hamilton College ($16,626 vs. $17,510).
• Hamilton College is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $6,272 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Hamilton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $6,272 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (56% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($55,511 vs. $38,223).

Hamilton College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 40 points higher than at RISD (1460).
• Incoming Hamilton College 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: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at RISD (3.71).
• RISD has a higher acceptance rate (18.7%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Hamilton College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $27,900 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $11,240 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($15,760 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($162 vs. $279).
• More Hamilton 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.