RISD vs. Rhodes College

Comparable Facts

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

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Rhodes College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Rhodes College is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhodes College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island School of Design 8:1; Rhodes College 9:1.

RISD vs. Rhodes College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RISD or Rhodes College? 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 Rhodes College than RISD ($31,037 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhodes College are 18.1% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($13,620 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rhodes College (about $5,578 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $57,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at RISD than at Rhodes College (about $5,578 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $57,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhodes College than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhodes College students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($40,180 vs. $38,223).

RISD vs. Rhodes College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 70 points higher than at Rhodes College (1390).
• Incoming RISD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Rhodes College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530; Rhodes College 1300/1486.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island School of Design 31/34; Rhodes College 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RISD - Test optional; Rhodes College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027; Rhodes College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rhodes College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Rhodes College has a higher acceptance rate (50.4%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.5% at RISD vs. 12.1% at Rhodes College.

RISD vs. Rhodes College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RISD and Rhodes College? 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 Rhodes College's (75%).
• Graduates from Rhodes College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhodes College graduates have a $783 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,217 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rhodes College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rhodes College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.