UD vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Delaware is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Delaware 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 Delaware 16:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

UD vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 Delaware than RISD ($19,139 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Delaware are 7.5% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($15,386 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 272.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $45,878 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.4% higher at RISD than at University of Delaware (about $21,288 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $41,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Rhode Island School of Design (91% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 187.3% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($38,223 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 180 points higher than at UD (1280).
• Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at UD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at RISD (3.71).
• UD has a higher acceptance rate (70.6%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 41.5% at RISD.

UD vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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 Delaware's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,797 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($24,203 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UD students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.