Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) vs Duke University
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Duke University stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. RISD, renowned for its exceptional arts and design programs, boasts an acceptance rate of 38%, while Duke, a prestigious research university, maintains a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 8%. While RISD's student body primarily comprises aspiring artists and designers, Duke's diverse student population pursues a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, medicine, and public policy. With RISD's graduation rate hovering around 85% and Duke's at an impressive 94%, both institutions prioritize student success and equip their graduates with the skills and knowledge to thrive in their chosen fields. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table below to discover more about these esteemed institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
|
![]() Duke University |
![]() Rhode Island School of Design |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Durham, North Carolina | Providence, Rhode Island |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 5.9% | 18.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
|
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1468 - 1558 | 1310 - 1480 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 28 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 47.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 46.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 49,703 | 4,742 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,927 | 886 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,744 | 496 |
Yield rate | 59.6% | 56.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price | $79,860 | $77,280 |
Average net price | $27,297 | $38,234 |
Tuition | $58,085 | $55,220 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,164
Meal plan:
$6,862
|
$14,790 |
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $50,731 |
37.0%
Average amount $37,286 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $4,537 |
36.0%
Average amount $5,296 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $22,957 |
4.0%
Average amount $39,311 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
6,883
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
2,044
Men 33.5% Women 66.5% |
Graduate students |
10,737
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
532
Men 34.2% Women 65.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 21.4% | 35.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 5,718 | 1,450 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | New England Commission on Higher Education |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 95.9% | 86.2% |
Dropout rate | 4.0% | 11.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
International Business (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Master's Degrees)
|
Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Woodworking (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architecture (Bachelor's Degrees)
Interior Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.


































































































































































































