Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Rhode Island vs Rhode Island School of Design
Compare average net price ($6,513 at Community College of Rhode Island; $50,507 at Rhode Island School of Design), ROI score (16.37 vs 3.37), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,659 vs $68,140), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Rhode Island; 18.7% at Rhode Island School of Design) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Community College of Rhode Island | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.37 ✓ | 3.37 |
| Avg net price | $6,513 ✓ | $50,507 |
| 4-year avg net price | $26,052 ✓ | $202,028 |
| In-state tuition | $5,550 | $62,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,834 | $62,688 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,659 | $68,140 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 18.7% |
| Graduation rate | 26.2% | 88.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59.3% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,920 ✓ | $27,000 |
| Enrollment | 11,171 | 2,084 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1473 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Community College of Rhode Island | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,213 ✓ | $29,135 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,299 ✓ | $30,233 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,825 ✓ | $25,872 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,965 ✓ | $33,893 |
| Family income $110k+ | $8,152 ✓ | $64,493 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Community College of Rhode Island | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts | 0.7% | 19.7% |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 0.3% | 8.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Rhode Island reports the lower average net price by $43,994 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $175,976 difference over four years ($26,052 vs $202,028).
Rhode Island School of Design reports $25,481 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($68,140 vs $42,659). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59.3% at Community College of Rhode Island and 95% at Rhode Island School of Design. Median federal debt among completers is $10,920 vs $27,000, respectively.
2 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Community College of Rhode Island vs Rhode Island School of Design, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Rhode Island is cheaper — average net price $6,513 per year vs $50,507 at Rhode Island School of Design. The annual difference of $43,994 adds up to about $175,976 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Rhode Island School of Design reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $68,140 vs $42,659 at Community College of Rhode Island. The gap in the federal data is $25,481. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.