RISD vs. EMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI with Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than EMU based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Eastern Mennonite University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Mennonite University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island School of Design 8:1; Eastern Mennonite University 9:1.

RISD vs. EMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RISD or EMU? 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 Eastern Mennonite University than RISD ($25,021 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 20.8% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($13,170 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 42.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EMU (about $18,768 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at RISD than at Eastern Mennonite University (about $18,768 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than at Rhode Island School of Design (96% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students ($38,223 vs. $32,378).

RISD vs. EMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RISD or EMU? 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 EMU and RISD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 140 points higher than at EMU (1320).
• Incoming RISD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at EMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530; Eastern Mennonite University 1040/1590.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island School of Design 31/34; Eastern Mennonite University 25/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RISD - Test optional; EMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at EMU (3.7).
• EMU has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.5% at RISD vs. 12.4% at EMU.

RISD vs. EMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RISD and EMU? 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 Eastern Mennonite University's (66%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island School of Design earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than EMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Mennonite University graduates have a $3,550 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,450 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, EMU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EMU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.