R
#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

RISD Admission Requirements

Providence, Rhode Island

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Your chances of getting into Rhode Island School of Design

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

17.4%
Admission Difficulty for Rhode Island School of Design
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at RISD is 17.4%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Rhode Island and the 62nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into RISD and can you get accepted?

RISD is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 888 out of the 5,099 who applied were admitted.

Rhode Island School of Design typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.71. Of those applicants who were admitted, 54% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into RISD?

17% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Rhode Island School of Design you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.71 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1430 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT

RISD GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.71*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Rhode Island School of Design?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into RISD are to have around a 3.71 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as RISD is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at RISD is 3.71 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #2 in Rhode Island for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since RISD is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.71 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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RISD SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Rhode Island School of Design. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 18% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1340-1525

Applicants Submitting SAT 

18%
SAT Scores for Rhode Island School of Design
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 660
Math 25th Percentile 680
Composite 25th Percentile 1340
SAT Scores for Rhode Island School of Design
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 740
Math 75th Percentile 785
Composite 75th Percentile 1525
Average SAT Score 1430

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Rhode Island School of Design?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at RISD is 1430 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1340-1525. Students who get into Rhode Island School of Design score in the top 9 percent of all SAT test takers..  RISD ranks #2 in the state of Rhode Island and #73 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1430 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. RISD regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1340 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1340, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1250, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Rhode Island School of Design is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1430 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1432, you have around a 17% chance of being admitted. A 1525 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 28% chance of getting in.

Rhode Island School of Design admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1525 and Above Good >28%
1432 to 1525 Avg + 17%-28%
1340 to 1432 Avg - 10%-17%
1248 to 1340 Reach 5%-10%
Less than 1248 Low <5%
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RISD ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

29-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Rhode Island School of Design
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 31
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Scores for Rhode Island School of Design
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into RISD?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to RISD is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 33.  The school ranks #2 in Rhode Island and #109 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 27.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Rhode Island School of Design.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Rhode Island School of Design is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into RISD for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 17% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 28% with a 33 ACT score.

Rhode Island School of Design admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >28%
31 to 33 Avg + 17%-28%
29 to 31 Avg - 10%-17%
27 to 29 Reach 5%-10%
Less than 27 Low <5%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Rhode Island School of Design admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,974 1,125 5,099
Accepted 610 278 888
Acceptance Rate 15% 25% 17%
Enrolled 325 156 481
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 53% 56% 54%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

86

Applicants have 86 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Rhode Island School of Design is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Rhode Island School of Design and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Rhode Island School of Design Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Rhode Island School of Design
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because RISD is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.71 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1430 on the SAT and optimally 1525 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 31 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Rhode Island School of Design often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217493 IPEDS survey data for Rhode Island School of Design.

Last updated February 24, 2024