St Lawrence University vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare St Lawrence University in Canton, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than St Lawrence University based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,991 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Lawrence University is located in Canton, NY (Remote Town setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• St Lawrence University 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: St Lawrence University 11:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

St Lawrence University vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Lawrence University 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 St Lawrence University than RISD ($33,216 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 2.2% lower than at St Lawrence University ($16,626 vs. $17,000).
• St Lawrence University is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $3,212 more per year; $65,900.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at St Lawrence University than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $3,212 more per year; $65,900.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Lawrence University than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Lawrence University students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($48,784 vs. $38,223).

St Lawrence University vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Lawrence University 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 St Lawrence University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 120 points higher than at St Lawrence University (1340).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at St Lawrence University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Lawrence University 1255/1420; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Lawrence University 30/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Lawrence University - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Lawrence University Feb 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at St Lawrence University (3.6).
• St Lawrence University has a higher acceptance rate (54.3%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at St Lawrence University vs. 41.5% at RISD.

St Lawrence University vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Lawrence University 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 St Lawrence University's (80%).
• Graduates from St Lawrence University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and St Lawrence University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and St Lawrence University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St Lawrence University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.