RISD Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

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.

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

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

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.

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 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.

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.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

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

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.

Admission Statistics

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

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

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?

Credits Accepted

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.