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

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI · Private · 2,084 students

RISD is a college and museum located in Providence, Rhode Island.

Acceptance rate

18.7%

SAT (mid 50%)

1396–1530

Avg net price

$50,507

after aid

Testing

optional

2027 cycle

Sources: the U.S. Department of Education (2024), and Rhode Island School of Design’s admissions site.

Your chances

How hard is it to get in?

Getting in is the hard part. Rhode Island School of Design admitted 18.7% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 13961530 on the SAT and 3134 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Rhode Island School of Design actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

What they value

Making begins with a question

An immersive, cross-disciplinary environment where making begins with a question.

The foundation curriculum centers studio and liberal arts courses, often within a historical context.

  • UndergraduateArt, Design, Studio
  • GraduateCreative Process, Studio Practice
  • Continuing EducationCreative Development

Verified from risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu and risd.edu.

Applying

Requirements and deadlines

  • Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from https://www.risd.edu.

Cost and aid

What you will actually pay

The sticker price is about $81,727, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $50,507.

RISD’s Student Financial Services Office (SFS) works with students and parents to help them seek, obtain, and make the best use of all available resources to finance the costs of attending RISD.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $68,140.

Verified from https://www.risd.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

Campus life

The feel of the place

Making begins with a question in an immersive, cross-disciplinary environment, where students challenge ideas and think about the future.

Quick answers

Rhode Island School of Design FAQ

Is Rhode Island School of Design test-optional?
For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Rhode Island School of Design is optional.
How hard is it to get into Rhode Island School of Design?
Very hard. Rhode Island School of Design admits 18.7% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1396 to 1530 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.
How much does Rhode Island School of Design cost?
The list price is about $81,727, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $50,507.
Is Rhode Island School of Design worth it?
Graduates earn a median of $68,140 ten years after enrolling, and 89% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.

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Ask Spike anything about Rhode Island School of Design.

Spike answers from Rhode Island School of Design’s own site, then helps you figure out your move. Join the waitlist to get in early.