Rhode Island College vs Rhode Island School of Design: which has better ROI?
Rhode Island College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,912 in 4.8 years versus 10.2 years at Rhode Island School of Design, on median earnings of $56,318 vs $68,140 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rhode Island College | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,478 | $50,507 |
| Total net cost | $37,912 | $202,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,318 | $68,140 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 10.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $121,248 | $193,572 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rhode Island College or Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island College, at $9,478 a year after aid versus $50,507 — a gap of $41,029 a year, or $164,116 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rhode Island College or Rhode Island School of Design graduates earn more?
Rhode Island School of Design graduates report a median $68,140 ten years after entry, $11,822 more than the $56,318 at Rhode Island College. 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, Rhode Island College or Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island College: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Rhode Island School of Design, a difference of $6,500. 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 48% at Rhode Island College. 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.