Wheaton College vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wheaton College is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College than RISD ($31,356 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 21.7% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($13,010 vs. $16,626).
• Rhode Island School of Design is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $17,142 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at RISD than at Wheaton College (about $17,142 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Rhode Island School of Design (98% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 36.6% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($38,223 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 90 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming RISD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at RISD (3.71).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Wheaton College vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton 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).

• The graduation rate at Wheaton College is the same as at Rhode Island School of Design (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RISD students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.