Ithaca College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ithaca College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (4,767 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ithaca College is located in Ithaca, NY (Small Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Ithaca 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: Ithaca College 10:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Ithaca College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ithaca 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 Ithaca College than RISD ($35,253 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 2.6% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,192 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ithaca College (about $9,148 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at RISD than at Ithaca College (about $9,148 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Ithaca College students ($38,223 vs. $33,450).

Ithaca College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 150 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming RISD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 1230/1390; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 27/30; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ithaca College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Ithaca College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Ithaca College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ithaca 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 Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from Ithaca College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ithaca College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ithaca College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ithaca College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.