Lafayette College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Lafayette 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: Lafayette College 10:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Lafayette College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette 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 Lafayette College than RISD ($38,442 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 16.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,626 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $2,710 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Lafayette College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,710 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Rhode Island School of Design (61% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 17% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($44,707 vs. $38,223).

Lafayette College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 30 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 31/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lafayette College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Lafayette College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Rhode Island School of Design's (87%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $29,900 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.