Skidmore College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Skidmore College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Skidmore College 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: Skidmore College 8:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Skidmore College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College than RISD ($31,187 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 7.3% lower than at Skidmore College ($16,626 vs. $17,940).
• Skidmore College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $4,602 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Skidmore College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $4,602 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Skidmore College than at Rhode Island School of Design (53% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 41.5% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($54,083 vs. $38,223).

Skidmore College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 50 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
• Incoming Skidmore College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Skidmore College 1340/1480; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Skidmore College 31/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Skidmore College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Skidmore College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Skidmore College has a higher acceptance rate (21.1%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at Skidmore College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Skidmore College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College's (84%).
• Graduates from Skidmore College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Skidmore College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.