RISD Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Providence, RI
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#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

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RISD Admission Overview

RISD admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Rhode Island. Last year RISD admitted 18.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1396-1530 / ACT 31-34. RISD is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RISD is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.risd.edu/admissions/first-year/apply-risd

RISD Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

18.7%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The RISD acceptance rate is 18.7%. Last year, only 1,249 of 6,692 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Rhode Island and the 71st lowest in 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, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

41% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RISD GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.71*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.71*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

RISD has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.71 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.71 GPA does not by itself determine admission. RISD is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*3.71 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

RISD Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Rhode Island School of Design is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. Domestic and international applicants may apply without SAT or ACT scores by selecting test-optional on the Common Application. If you choose to send scores, RISD superscores across test dates. SAT or ACT results are not required for admission but may be used to meet the English proficiency requirement.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.risd.edu/admissions/first-year/apply-risd

RISD SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1396-1530

Freshmen who sent SAT

15%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 688
Math 708
Composite 1396

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 780
Composite 1530

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at RISD typically score around a 1460 SAT (middle 50% 1396–1530) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. RISD ranks #2 in the state of Rhode Island and #63 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1396 to 1530

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1396–1530 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

RISD is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1460 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Rhode Island School of Design
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1530+	Above 75th	>31%
1460 to 1530	Avg +	19%-31%
1396 to 1460	Avg -	11%-19%
Below 1396	Below mid-50	<11%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RISD ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

31-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 28
Composite 31

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at RISD typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. RISD places #2 among colleges in Rhode Island and #85 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 31–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to RISD without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Rhode Island School of Design
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>36%
32 to 34	Avg +	19%-36%
31 to 32	Avg -	13%-19%
Below 31	Below mid-50	<13%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the RISD chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Rhode Island School of Design admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	5,279	1,406	6,692
Accepted	962	287	1,249
Acceptance Rate	18%	20%	19%
Enrolled	384	134	518
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	40%	47%	41%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

154

Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Rhode Island School of Design
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

RISD is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 18.7% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1396-1530); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025