Overview of Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design is a private art and design college situated on College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island. RISD is one of the best schools of art in the country. The institution has a large selection of 16 undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 2,468 (1,994 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 32 percent male/68 percent female
• 100 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $52,860
• Books: $2,700
• Room and Board: $13,720
• Other Expenses: $3,500
• Total Cost: $72,780

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 45 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 38 percent
  • Loans: 35 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $26,057
  • Loans: $6,952

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Illustration; Industrial and Product Design; Graphic Design; Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other; and Painting

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 94 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 9 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 70 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 89 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis, Track and Field, Golf
•  Women’s Sports: Track and Field, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, Soccer

Overview of Rhode Island School of Design Admissions

Rhode Island School of Design has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Students should make a campus visit to determine if the institution is a good fit for them.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Rhode Island School of Design had an acceptance rate of 24%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 24 students gained admission, making RISD’s admissions process highly competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 73% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of RISD’s students score within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Rhode Island School of Design scored between 600 and 690 For the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 600 and 25% scored over 690. 50% of students scored between 580 and 750 on the math part, while 25% scored under 580, and 25% scored over 750. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1440 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at RISD.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 27% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most RISD students score within the top 18% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Rhode Island School of Design received a cumulative ACT score between 26 and 32, while 25% scored over 32, and 25% scored under 26.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the Rhode Island School of Design, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If the Rhode Island School of Design is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati, Hofstra University, Temple University, Auburn University, Seton Hall University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Rhode Island School of Design, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, University of California, Irvine, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Rhode Island School of Design. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Villanova University, Binghamton University, Lehigh University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas

Applying to Rhode Island School of Design

Application Deadline: February 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.risd.edu/admissions/first-year/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.risd.edu/admissions/first-year/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.risd.edu/admissions/graduate/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.risd.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/