Get matched with vetted scholarships and enter our
Please select whichever best describes you for the 2025 - 2026 academic year.
Apply as student Sign up as parent/guardian Sign up as counselor/educator
100% Free. No Spam.
    Start typing in the text field above

    JUST PUBLISHED: $200,000 in exclusive scholarships from the Skechers Foundation! Apply Now

    R

    Rhode Island School of Design

    risd.edu Black Arrow Icon
    Claim this profile
    Advertiser disclosure

    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

    Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

    Overview

    Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Providence, Rhode Island. There are currently 2,090 undergraduates at RISD and the school’s acceptance rate is 14%. The tuition at RISD is $59,760.

    Rhode Island School of Design
    11 City
    Colleges in cities offer easy access to jobs, internships, and entertainment. These colleges provide plenty of opportunities but may include higher living costs and a busier environment than other campuses. Some urban schools have traditional campuses, while others blend into the city.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $81,810

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $35,557

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $46,253

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition & Fees
    $59,760
    Books & Supplies
    $2,700
    Room & Board
    $15,850
    Other
    $3,500

    Estimated Cost:

    $81,810

    The sticker price at RISD is $81,810. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at RISD would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Rhode Island School of Design Financial Aid

    To apply for financial aid at Rhode Island School of Design, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.


    The FAFSA code for Rhode Island School of Design is 003409.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at Rhode Island School of Design

    15% of students at Rhode Island School of Design receive Pell Grants.


    The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at RISD. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:


    Admissions

    14%

    Admission Rate

    31

    Average ACT

    1378

    Average SAT

    1378 is the median SAT score and 31 is the median ACT score for admitted students at RISD. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Is RISD test-optional?

    Rhode Island School of Design is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What test scores do you need to get into Rhode Island School of Design?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Rhode Island School of Design receive between a 30 and a 33 on their ACT, or a 1320 and a 1505 on their SAT.

    January
    16

    Regular Decision

    November
    1

    Early Decision I

    What is the application deadline at RISD?

    Students must apply by January 16 to enroll at RISD during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At RISD students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 8:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 88%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Visual & Performing Arts

    51%

    51% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    17%

    17% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    14%

    14% of graduates

    Architecture

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Precision Production

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Family & Consumer Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 2,090

    Pell Grant 14%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 2%

    Percent Male / Female 31% / 69%

    Ethnic Diversity at RISD

    33% International / Non-Citizen

    25% Asian / Pacific Islander

    22% White

    9% Hispanic

    5% Multiracial

    5% Black

    1% Unknown

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $68,140

    Median Debt $27,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $286

    Graduation Rate 88%

    What is the graduation rate at Rhode Island School of Design?

    88% of students who start at Rhode Island School of Design finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 30% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Rhode Island School of Design go on to earn?

    The median income of students 10 years after starting at Rhode Island School of Design is $68,140. This is $17,749 more than the national median.


    This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Rhode Island School of Design who received federal financial aid.


    Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at RISD take out in loans?

    Graduates of RISD take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    If you represent Rhode Island School of Design and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.

    Get Started

    Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

    3 reasons to join scholarships360

    • Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
    • Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
    • Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

    By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

    Join For Free