UMass vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMass vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst than RISD ($22,948 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 0.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,626 vs. $16,710).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 252.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $44,916 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55% higher at RISD than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $22,239 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 191.6% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($38,223 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 50 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at RISD (3.71).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 41.5% at RISD.

UMass vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.