Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Private nonprofit four-year university in Providence, RI that costs an average of $50,513 a year after financial aid, admits 19% of applicants and graduates 92% of full-time students.

Net price / year
$50,513
Acceptance rate
19%
Graduation rate
92%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$69,341

Private nonprofitMidsize city2,084 undergraduates

Cost of RISD

Total cost of attendance (per year)$85,455
Tuition and fees, in-state$65,136
Housing and food (on campus)$17,400
Books and supplies$3,400
Average net price after aid$50,513

Net price by family income

Family incomeAverage net price / year
$0–30,000$29,175
$30,001–48,000$34,985
$48,001–75,000$42,134
$75,001–110,000$44,079
$110,001+$72,156

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with RISD's net price calculator ↗.

Admissions

Acceptance rate19%
Average SAT1,473
SAT reading (25th–75th percentile)688–750
SAT math (25th–75th percentile)708–780
ACT composite (25th–75th percentile)31–34
Test scoresConsidered but not required

Graduation, earnings and debt

Graduation rate92%
First-year retention95%
Median earnings 6 years after enrolling$42,848
Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$69,341
Rank in Rhode Island (earnings)7th of 10 similar colleges
Median debt of graduates$26,898
Typical monthly loan payment$306 (10-year plan)
Students with Pell grants17%
Students with federal loans28%

Majors and programs at RISD

Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.

Bachelor's degree programs (9)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Systems Science and Theory176$59,681$24,625
Computer Software and Media Applications140$40,844$24,523
Design and Applied Arts192$27,941$27,000
Fine and Studio Arts276$24,782$27,000
Apparel and Textiles37——
Architectural Sciences and Technology103—$27,250
Architecture———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts97—$27,000
Woodworking58——

Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (1)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas———

Master's degree programs (12)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Architectural Sciences and Technology184$67,299$61,500
Fine and Studio Arts84$42,820$41,000
Computer Software and Media Applications31——
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis12——
Design and Applied Arts15——
Film/Video and Photographic Arts17——
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other5——
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication21——
Sustainability Studies44——
Systems Science and Theory32——
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas28—$20,500
Woodworking18——

Similar colleges in Rhode Island

CollegeCityNet price / yrAcceptanceEarnings
Salve Regina UniversityNewport$36,52868%$73,336
Bryant UniversitySmithfield$39,18665%$104,456
Johnson & Wales University-OnlineProvidence$22,07191%$53,928
Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence$29,95288%$53,928
Roger Williams UniversityBristol$37,64588%$77,127
Providence CollegeProvidence$49,59451%$90,260
Brown UniversityProvidence$26,9765.4%$99,974
College UnboundProvidence$20,804——

All colleges in Rhode Island →

About RISD

TypePrivate nonprofit four-year university
LocationProvidence, RI
SettingMidsize city
Undergraduates2,084
Student-to-faculty ratio8 to 1
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Websiterisd.edu ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is RISD's acceptance rate?

Rhode Island School of Design admits 19% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,473 on the SAT.

How much does RISD cost per year?

The full cost of attendance is $85,455 a year (tuition and fees: $65,136). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $50,513 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $29,175.

How much do RISD graduates earn?

Former students earn a median of $69,341 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 7th of 10 similar colleges in Rhode Island. The best-paid bachelor's program is systems science and theory ($59,681 a year after graduation).

What is RISD's graduation rate?

92% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 95% of first-year students return for a second year.