RIT vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology 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: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

RIT vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than RISD ($39,534 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 2.9% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,142 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $3,414 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at RISD than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $3,414 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Rhode Island School of Design (98% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 9% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($38,223 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT 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 RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 80 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 41.5% at RISD.

RIT vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, RISD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 75%)

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.