Trinity College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT 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 Trinity College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Trinity 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: Trinity College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Trinity College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity 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 Trinity College than RISD ($36,071 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 12% lower than at Trinity College ($16,626 vs. $18,890).
• Trinity College is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $8,082 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Trinity College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $8,082 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Rhode Island School of Design (73% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 35.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($51,754 vs. $38,223).

Trinity College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 80 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Trinity 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: Trinity College 1298/1470; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Trinity College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (29.2%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Trinity College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity 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 Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from Trinity College earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.