Rhode Island School of Design

9/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Providence, RI
0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

2,520

Location Providence, Rhode Island
Website risd.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City

Best Colleges Rank

#92

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a private art and design institution located in Providence's College Hill neighborhood, adjacent to Brown University. Established in 1877, RISD's urban campus features a mix of historic buildings and modern facilities spread across 13 acres overlooking downtown Providence. The institution maintains specialized studios, workshops, and the RISD Museum, which houses over 100,000 artworks and design objects. Known for its rigorous admission process that requires a portfolio review, RISD offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across architecture, fine arts, design disciplines, and liberal arts, with particular recognition for its programs in industrial design, graphic design, and illustration. Students reside in historic buildings converted to dormitories or in apartment-style housing throughout the campus, with first-year students required to live in campus housing.

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Ratings

RISD is rated within the top 19% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.

Overall Rating

9 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

7 out of 10
Value

7 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Rhode Island School of Design within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#92
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#82
Best Colleges in Rhode Island

#2
Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

#2
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#408
Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

#2

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Elite

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1396/1530
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 31/34

Acceptance Rate

18.7%

Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 41.5%
Application Fee $60

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$62,688

Costs for Rhode Island School of Design
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$62,688
Books and Supplies		$3,000
Other Fees		$1,124
Room and Board		$16,626
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,672
Total One Year Cost		$87,110

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$51,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

87% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Rhode Island School of Design are Visual and Performing Arts, Architecture, and Work and Family Studies. 73% of students major in Visual and Performing Arts, 18% in Architecture, and 5% in Work and Family Studies.