Rhode Island School of Design
A good fit for competitive applicants and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $56,400 within 10 years; strong 89% graduation rate.
About This School
Rhode Island School of Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island with approximately 2,084 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 19%. The average net price after financial aid is $50,507 per year. The graduation rate is 89%, and the typical graduate earns $56,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Rhode Island School of Design is a private art school in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. 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.
This is a strong option for serious art and design students who can get in — a 14% acceptance rate makes it genuinely selective, and the 93% freshman retention rate suggests students who arrive tend to stay committed. The cost is a real concern: at $46,253/year average net price and median earnings of $56,400 a decade out, the financial return is tighter than at many schools, so it's worth having an honest conversation about debt load before committing. That said, the 88% graduation rate and RISD's reputation as one of the most respected art schools in the country make it worth serious consideration if design is your clear path — just go in with eyes open on the finances.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 5% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,084 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Rhode Island School of Design
20 Washington Place
Providence, RI 02903-2784
Official Links
Other Schools in Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI · Public
Community College of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI · Public
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI · Public
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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