Rhode Island School of Design
The Rhode Island School of Design is a private art and design school in Providence, Rhode Island. 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. Today, RISD offers bachelor's and master's degree programs across 19 majors and enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students. The Rhode Island School of Design Museum—which houses the school's art and design collections—is one of the largest college art museums in the United States.
At a glance
- Acceptance rate: 19%
- Average net price: $50,507
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,127
- Graduation rate (150%): 89%
- Graduation rate (200%): 91%
- 8-year Outcome Measures award rate: 93%
- Student to faculty ratio: 8:1
- Median earnings (10 years): $68,140
- Median earnings (8 years): $58,975
- Median earnings (6 years): $45,932
- Control: Private nonprofit
- Locale: City, midsize
- Calendar: Four-one-four plan
- City: Providence, RI
Majors and programs
The most common programs at Rhode Island School of Design include Illustration, Systems Science and Theory, Computer Graphics.
- Illustration (101 bachelor's) · median earnings $67,771 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Systems Science and Theory (84 bachelor's) · median earnings $34,265 1 year after graduation · median debt $26,748
- Computer Graphics (61 bachelor's)
- Architectural and Building Sciences (54 bachelor's) · median earnings $55,673 1 year after graduation
- Film (39 bachelor's) · median earnings $51,278 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Painting (38 bachelor's) · median earnings $40,568 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Sculpture (32 bachelor's) · median earnings $40,568 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts (28 bachelor's) · median earnings $40,568 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Furniture Design and Manufacturing (26 bachelor's) · median earnings $37,055 4 years after graduation · median debt $26,558
- Apparel and Textiles (15 bachelor's) · median earnings $59,372 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
Degree mix: Computer Science 94%, Communication 6%.
Award levels offered: Bachelor's, Master's.
Cost
Rhode Island School of Design students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $33,653 a year after aid.
- Net price, $0 to $30,000: $33,653
- Net price, $30,001 to $48,000: $31,023
- Net price, $48,001 to $75,000: $36,834
- Net price, $75,001 to $110,000: $46,882
- Net price, $110,001 and above: $60,428
- In-state tuition and fees: $62,688
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $62,688
- Books and supplies: $3,000
- On-campus room and board: $16,626
- Off-campus room and board: $16,626
- Off-campus with family: $4,718
- Typical cost of attendance: $82,314
- Sticker vs net gap: 39%
- Students receiving any aid: 100%
- Pell Grant recipients: 15%
- Federal loan recipients: 29%
- Average institutional grant: $37,227
- Average federal loan: $6,389
- Median debt at graduation: $27,000
Admissions
Rhode Island School of Design admits 19% of applicants. Of students admitted, 41% enrolled.
- Applications: 6,692
- Admitted: 1,249
- Enrolled: 518
- Yield (first-choice signal): 41%
Who actually goes here
- Undergraduates: 2,127
- Women: 69%
- Commuter share (estimated): 32%
- Part-time undergraduates: 0%
- Age 25 and older: 2%
- Graduate students: 466
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Come back after freshman year: 95%
- First-generation: 11%
Faculty and campus
- Full-time faculty: 39%
- Student to faculty: 8:1
- Professor salary: $135,567
- Associate professor salary: $93,524
- Assistant professor salary: $70,658
- On-campus housing capacity: 1,452
- Meal plan meals per week: 21
- Average SAT: 1,480
- Average ACT: 32
- Study abroad: Available
- Online programs: Available
Common questions
What is the Rhode Island School of Design acceptance rate? Rhode Island School of Design admits 19% of applicants, based on the latest IPEDS admissions file.
How much does Rhode Island School of Design cost? Students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $33,653 a year after aid. Average net price is $50,507.
What majors does Rhode Island School of Design offer? Popular programs include Illustration, Systems Science and Theory, Computer Graphics, Architectural and Building Sciences, Film.
What is the average salary after Rhode Island School of Design? Median earnings 10 years after entry are $68,140 for Title IV aid recipients in College Scorecard.
What is the Rhode Island School of Design graduation rate? In the IPEDS Outcome Measures cohort, 93% earned an award within eight years. The first-time, full-time 150% graduation rate is 89%.
Scorecard earnings and debt cover Title IV aid recipients, not cash-pay or private-loan students. Rhode Island School of Design official site: https://risd.edu.