Community College of Rhode Island vs Rhode Island School of Design: which has better ROI?
Rhode Island School of Design has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $202,028 in 10.2 years versus not at all at Community College of Rhode Island, on median earnings of $68,140 vs $42,659 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Rhode Island | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,513 | $50,507 |
| Total net cost | $13,026 | $202,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,659 | $68,140 |
| Median debt | $10,920 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | 10.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$127,046 | $193,572 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Rhode Island or Rhode Island School of Design?
Community College of Rhode Island, at $6,513 a year after aid versus $50,507 — a gap of $43,994 a year, or $189,002 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Community College of Rhode Island or Rhode Island School of Design graduates earn more?
Rhode Island School of Design graduates report a median $68,140 ten years after entry, $25,481 more than the $42,659 at Community College of Rhode Island. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Community College of Rhode Island or Rhode Island School of Design?
Community College of Rhode Island: its completers carry a median $10,920 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Rhode Island School of Design, a difference of $16,080. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Rhode Island School of Design, against 26% at Community College of Rhode Island. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.