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Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI · City · 2,084 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Sep 2026 · risd.edu
$50,507
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
89%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$68,140
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
19%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is widely recognized as one of the world's premier art and design colleges, renowned for its rigorous studio-based curriculum and top-ranked programs in illustration, graphic design, industrial design, and architecture. Campus culture is intensely creative and driven, centered around a demanding first-year Experimental and Foundation Studies program that immerses students in critical making and cross-disciplinary experimentation. Set on Providence’s historic College Hill, RISD uniquely enriches the undergraduate experience through its world-class RISD Museum and an active academic partnership with neighboring Brown University, which enables cross-registration and collaborative dual-degree opportunities.

Wikipedia:The Rhode Island School of Design is a private art school in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The school was founded as a coeducational institution in 1877 by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, who sought to increase the accessibility of design education to women.

Location
Providence, RI, 02903-2784 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PVD · Providence
7 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$62,688
Housing & food (on campus)$16,626
Books & supplies$3,000
Cost of attendance$81,727
Average net price$50,507
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$62,688
Housing & food (on campus)$16,626
Books & supplies$3,000
Cost of attendance$81,727
Average net price$50,507
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$29,135
$30–48k
$30,233
$48–75k
$25,872
$75–110k
$33,893
$110k+
$64,493
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
89%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
49%
Back for yr 2
95%
Transferred
3%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
92% graduated · 5% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$45,932
10 yrs after entry$68,140
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$14k–$30.3k
90th percentile$35,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
19%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1473
R 688–750 · M 708–780
ACT midpoint
31
Comp 31–34 · E 35–35 · M 28–33
SAT middle 50%: 1396–1530
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 25 2027
in 115 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · risd.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If Rhode Island School of Design asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 29%Women 71%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
8 : 1
Pell grant
15%
First-gen
11%
Family income
$81,183
Independent
5%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
21%
Hispanic
8%
Black
5%
Asian
26%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
33%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$45,932
After 10 yrs
$68,140
Fine and Studio Arts143
Systems Science and Theory92
Design and Applied Arts91
Computer Software and Media Applications78
Architectural Sciences and Technology48
Film/Video and Photographic Arts44
Woodworking29
Apparel and Textiles22
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$428M
Full-time faculty
39%
Faculty salary
$11,226/mo
Teaching spend
$21,446
per student
Federal loans
29%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$5M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Rhode Island School of Design is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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