Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. RISD

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is located in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 (Massachusetts) 11:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 (Massachusetts) than RISD ($30,701 vs. $43,492).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 2.6% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,200 vs. $16,626).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RISD (about $1,272 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $1,272 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($48,666 vs. $38,223).

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. RISD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 (Massachusetts).

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 150 points higher than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310).
• Incoming RISD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RISD students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than RISD (18.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s (77%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.