Ursinus College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA 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 Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ursinus College is located in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Ursinus 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: Ursinus College 10:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Ursinus College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ursinus 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 Ursinus College than RISD ($32,158 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 2.4% lower than at Ursinus College ($16,626 vs. $17,028).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $1,478 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at RISD than at Ursinus College (about $1,478 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ursinus College students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($44,754 vs. $38,223).

Ursinus College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 170 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ursinus College 1200/1385; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ursinus College 28/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ursinus College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ursinus College May 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Ursinus College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Ursinus College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ursinus 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Ursinus College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island School of Design and Ursinus College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Rhode Island School of Design and Ursinus College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.