Purchase College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Purchase College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than RISD ($18,211 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 1.1% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,436 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 600.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $53,735 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226.4% higher at RISD than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $43,485 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Rhode Island School of Design (72% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 266.4% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($38,223 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 180 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming RISD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Purchase College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island School of Design earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 65%)

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.