Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI · Midsize city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 18.7%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 7,126
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 984
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 504
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 51%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 12%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 19%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 688–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 708–780
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 31–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 16% / 4%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- required
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $81,727
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $62,688
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $62,688
- Median debt at graduation
- $27,000
- Students with federal loans
- 29%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 89%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 95%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $22,778
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $68,140
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 2,084
- Graduate students
- 433
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 8 : 1
- Women
- 71%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 15%
- Full-time faculty
- 39%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Crystal Williams
- Main phone
- (401) 454-6100
- Address
- 20 Washington Place, Providence, RI 02903-2784
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 20 | mid-March |
- Apply with
- Common App
- Application fee
- $60 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- Common App essay; required portfolio of 12–20 recent works ($10 SlideRoom fee); Brown|RISD supplement if applicable
- Recommendations
- 1 required (up to 3), from teachers or professionals
Testing: SAT/ACT optional; English proficiency test required for non-native speakers
Financial aid policies
- Doesn’t guarantee meeting full need
- FAFSA only, no CSS Profile
- Aid requires FAFSA plus RISD institutional aid form; ED aid deadline November 15
Source: the college’s official website: risd.edu, risd.edu, risd.edu, sfs.risd.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.