Rhode Island School of Design campus
Rhode Island School of Design logo

Rhode Island School of Design

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale City: Midsize
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system 4-1-4
Student body size Small
Common app member Yes
Dormitory capacity 1,450
Student to faculty ratio 9 to 1
Acceptance rate 19%
Students retention rate 95%
On-time graduation rate 86%

Located in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university operates on a 4-1-4 calendar system, allowing students to engage in intensive study during the two shorter terms. This unique academic structure provides students with the opportunity to explore specialized areas of interest or complete internships, enhancing their overall educational experience.

The acceptance rate at RISD is 19%, indicating that the institution is quite selective in its admissions process. This can be seen as a positive aspect for those seeking a competitive and academically rigorous environment.

Rhode Island School of Design is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 9-to-1, RISD emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

RISD boasts an impressive student retention rate of 95% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 80% and 74%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: New England Commission on Higher Education
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

18.7%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$56,290

Cost of attendance at Rhode Island School of Design in 2022 for students from Rhode Island.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Rhode Island's average $13,017
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$56,290

Cost of attendance at Rhode Island School of Design in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Rhode Island's average $29,627
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 37 of freshman students at Rhode Island School of Design received on average $37,286 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$37,286
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 63 15% $5,604 $353,038
Other Federal Grant 65 16% $6,408 $416,538
State Grant/Scholarships 0 0% - -
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 151 36% $34,774 $5,250,884
Total Grant & Scholarships 152 37% $37,286 $5,667,422

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Rhode Island School of Design students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Rhode Island School of Design students is 86.2%. Female students graduated at a rate of 87.5%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 83.1%.

86.2%

  • asian 91.8% 89 students
  • African American 69.2% 9 students
  • white 83.0% 117 students
  • unknown 81.5% 22 students
  • hispanic 82.5% 33 students
  • International Students 90.1% 109 students
  • Mixed Race 82.6% 19 students

Service Offerings

Rhode Island School of Design provides the following additional services to its students
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Rhode Island School of Design offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.