Overview
Providence, RI Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Providence, Rhode Island. There are currently 2,108 undergraduates at RISD and the school’s acceptance rate is 17%. The tuition at RISD is $57,505.
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$78,939
$33,301
$45,638
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$78,939for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at RISD is $78,939. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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
Students who are applying for financial aid at Rhode Island School of Design need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
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 our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Pell Grants at Rhode Island School of Design
14% of students at Rhode Island School of Design receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Rhode Island School of Design.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
RISD students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
17%
31
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 it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Rhode Island School of Design?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT 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 29 and a 33 on their ACT, or a 1300 and a 1500 on their SAT.
Early Decision
Regular Decision
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.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to RISD?
Applying to RISD with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
91%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Visual & Performing Arts
54%
54% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
17%
17% of graduates
Architecture
13%
13% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Precision Production
2%
2% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,108
Pell Grant 15%
Undergrad Students Over 25 2%
Percent Male / Female 33% / 67%
Ethnic Diversity at RISD
34% International / Non-Citizen
23% White
23% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Hispanic
6% Multiracial
4% Black
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$68,140
Median Debt $27,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $286
Graduation Rate 91%
What is the graduation rate at Rhode Island School of Design?
91% of students who start at Rhode Island School of Design end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 33% 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?
10 years after starting school at Rhode Island School of Design, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $68,140. This is $17,749 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at RISD take out in loans?
Graduates of RISD have to 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, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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