UConn vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Connecticut is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (28,306 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Connecticut is located in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Connecticut 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: University of Connecticut 17:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

UConn vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UConn 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 University of Connecticut than RISD ($25,310 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 13.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($14,380 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 197.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UConn (about $41,644 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $21,044.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at RISD than at University of Connecticut (about $18,976 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $43,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Connecticut than at Rhode Island School of Design (81% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 131.6% larger than aid received by University of Connecticut students ($38,223 vs. $16,503).

UConn vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UConn 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 UConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 130 points higher than at UConn (1330).
• Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at UConn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Connecticut 1210/1440; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Connecticut 28/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UConn - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UConn Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UConn students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at RISD (3.71).
• UConn has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at UConn vs. 41.5% at RISD.

UConn vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UConn 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 University of Connecticut's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Connecticut earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Connecticut graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UConn graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UConn students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 78%)

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.