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Rhode Island School of Design

RISD

Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2784

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Campus Vibe

UrbanInternational

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.

Established
1877
Mascot
Scrotie (unofficial)
Type
Private art and design school
14%Acceptance
1480SAT Avg
2,090Students
8:1Student:Faculty
88%Grad Rate
$68,140Earnings 10yr
$46,253Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Rhode Island School of Design Launches New Data Science Minor

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

Admissions

Acceptance Rate13.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1480

Reading & WritingMid: 670
680760
MathMid: 725
690780

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 31
3033

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

13.8%

Trend

SAT Avg

1480

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$59,760
Room & Board$15,850
Books & Supplies$2,700
Total Cost of Attendance$78,857
Average Net Price$46,253
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$33,653
$30–48K$31,023
$48–75K$36,834
$75–110K$46,882
$110K+$60,428

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$46,253

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

7100.0%

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

Programs (25)

Student Life

Student Body

Undergrads
2,090
Gender Split
69% / 31%
Women / Men
First Generation
11%
Pell Grant Recipients
14%

Race & Ethnicity

White 22%
Black 5%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 25%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 33%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate88.5%
Freshman Retention92.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,932
8 Years$58,975
10 Years$68,140

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women
$51,900
Men
$62,800

Rankings

More About This School

Rankings

History & Fun Facts

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

117High

Estimated from RI state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
41 mi(71 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
155 mi(269 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
235 mi(407 min)

Getting There

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Rhode Island School of Design Application Checklist

Decision Notifications