NJIT vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Jersey Institute of Technology is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (13,247 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Jersey Institute of Technology is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Jersey Institute of Technology 17:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

NJIT vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NJIT 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology than RISD ($17,313 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Jersey Institute of Technology are 1.1% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,450 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 213.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NJIT (about $42,714 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $19,974.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at RISD than at New Jersey Institute of Technology (about $25,024 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $37,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Jersey Institute of Technology than at Rhode Island School of Design (91% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 111.4% larger than aid received by New Jersey Institute of Technology students ($38,223 vs. $18,084).

NJIT vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NJIT 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 NJIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 120 points higher than at NJIT (1340).
• Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at NJIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey Institute of Technology 1210/1460; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey Institute of Technology 27/34; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NJIT - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NJIT Mar 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NJIT students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at RISD (3.71).
• NJIT has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.2% at NJIT vs. 41.5% at RISD.

NJIT vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NJIT 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology's (54%).
• Graduates from New Jersey Institute of Technology earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,200 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Jersey Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NJIT graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NJIT students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.