Muhlenberg College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Muhlenberg College in Allentown, 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 Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Muhlenberg 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: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg College than RISD ($34,739 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 12.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($14,548 vs. $16,626).
• Muhlenberg College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $117 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $117 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($42,545 vs. $38,223).

Muhlenberg College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 130 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Muhlenberg College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg 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.