Simmons University vs. RISD

Should I go to Simmons University or Rhode Island School of Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simmons University or RISD is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Simmons University vs. Rhode Island School of Design comparison
Simmons University Rhode Island School of Design College 3 College 4
Simmons University Rhode Island School of Design
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Overview

Simmons University RISD
Location Boston, MA Providence, RI
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 5,710 2,620
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #108 #96
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simmons.edu risd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simmons University RISD
Tuition (In State) $43,060 $56,435
Tuition (Out of State) $43,060 $56,435
Room & Board $16,368 $15,234
Avg Net Price $24,423 $39,800
Avg Grant Aid $36,606 $37,480
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 34%

Admission

Simmons University RISD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,001 5,099
Admitted 3,059 888
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 17.4%
Enrolled % 12.8% 54.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 28/32 29/33
SAT Range 1200/1390 1340/1525
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Simmons University RISD
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
  • Architecture (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • Precision Production Trades (4%)

Outcomes

Simmons University RISD
Graduation Rate 69% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

Simmons University RISD
% Men 8% 33%
% Women 92% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 31%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 3% 26%
% Unknown Race 4% 8%

Students

Simmons University RISD
% In-State 52% 1%
% Out-of-State 41% 58%

Campus

Simmons University RISD
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than RISD based on total student enrollment (5,710 students vs. 2,620 students)

Simmons University vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University or RISD?

  • Rhode Island School of Design is 31.1% more expensive to attend than Simmons University for in-state tuition ($56,435.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.1% higher at RISD than Simmons University ($56,435.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simmons University than RISD ($24,423 vs. $39,800)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 7.4% lower than costs at Simmons University ($15,234 vs. $16,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 2.4% larger than aid received Simmons University ($37,480 vs. $36,606)

Simmons University vs. RISD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simmons University or RISD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RISD or Simmons University .

  • The average SAT score at Rhode Island School of Design (1273) is 110 points higher than at Simmons University (1163)
  • Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Simmons University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Simmons University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at RISD (3.71)
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (76.5%) than RISD (17.4%)

Simmons University vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simmons University or RISD? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RISD and Simmons University.

  • The graduation rate at RISD is higher than Simmons University (87% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Simmons University earn on average $1,700 more per year than RISD graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $51,100)
  • Simmons University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than RISD graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Simmons University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than RISD graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University 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/