Campus Vibe
Highly selective — strong graduate outcomes
Rhode Island School of Design is a private urban institution in Providence, Rhode Island. Admission is competitive, with an average SAT of 1480.
A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
88% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $68,140 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $46,253.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Rhode Island School of Design Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1480
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 15
Decision by mid-December
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by late March
Reply by May 1
SAT/ACT optional permanently.
RISD-specific essays required.
Financial Aid
Need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
71.4%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$23,250
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
16
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
View all 17 majors›
Programs (25)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
93%
- •93% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Campus Life
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Dining
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
After Graduation
Top Employers
Top Graduate Schools
Top Industries
Notable Alumni
Brian Chesky
Co-founder and CEO of Airbnb
Joe Gebbia
Co-founder of Airbnb
Seth MacFarlane
Creator of Family Guy and The Orville
David Byrne
Lead singer of Talking Heads
Gus Van Sant
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker
Dale Chihuly
World-renowned glass sculptor
Kara Walker
MacArthur Fellow and contemporary artist
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History Founding of the school The Venetian Renaissance Waterman Building (1893) was the first permanent home for the school.
- •The Rhode Island School of Design's founding is often traced back to Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf's 1876 visit to the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
- •On January 11, 1877, a majority of women on the committee voted for Metcalf's proposal.
- •On March 22, 1877, the Rhode Island General Assembly ratified "An Act to Incorporate the Rhode Island School of Design", "[f]or the purpose of aiding in the cultivation of the arts of design".
- •Metcalf directed the school until her death in 1895.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Amtrak
Providence Station (1 mile from campus); direct trains to Boston (40 min) and NYC (3 hours).
Walkability
Urban campus on College Hill; highly walkable to downtown Providence and Brown University.
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Nearby Attractions
Thayer Streetwalkable
Shopping, dining, and cafes popular with students.
Waterfirewalkable
Award-winning art installation on Providence rivers with bonfires and music (seasonal).
Federal Hillwalkable
Providence's Little Italy with authentic Italian restaurants.
Providence Athenaeumwalkable
Historic library dating to 1753.
WaterPlace Parkwalkable
Riverside park in downtown Providence.
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
February 1
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements