Community College of Rhode Island vs Rhode Island School of Design
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RI | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +157% | -30% |
| 10-year net gain | $26,695 | $-63,567 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $49,370 | $59,830 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $36,778 | $19,151 |
| Average net price | $6,513 | $50,507 |
| Median debt | $10,920 | $27,000 |
| Break-even | 3.9 yrs | 14.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 89% |
| Admission rate | — | 19% |
Community College of Rhode Island
Strong return
+$26,695 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Rhode Island School of Design
Poor return
$-63,567 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.