RISD vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island School of Design 8:1; Whitman College 10:1.

RISD vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RISD or Whitman 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 Whitman College than RISD ($37,633 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 9.3% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,080 vs. $16,626).
• Whitman College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $1,362 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Whitman College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $1,362 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Rhode Island School of Design (94% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($40,489 vs. $38,223).

RISD vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 60 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island School of Design 31/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RISD - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.5% at RISD vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

RISD vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RISD and Whitman 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 Whitman College's (86%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($17,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($180 vs. $279).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.