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Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI·Private·https://www.risd.edu/

Campus Identity

Greek LifeGraduate Programs

Rhode Island School of Design is a small private nonprofit university in Providence, RI. Approximately 2,084 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 19% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 28 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 42/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Rhode Island School of Design is a small private nonprofit university in Providence, RI. Approximately 2,084 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 19% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 28 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 42/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

19%
Acceptance Rate
6,692 applications
32
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 31–34
$62,688
2024-25 Tuition
$50,507
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$16,626
Room & Board
21 meals/week
2,084
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
41%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
89%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity19% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

688720750

SAT Math

708760780

Campus Lifestyle

Rhode Island School of Design is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with an active Greek scene. The campus is 28 miles from Narragansett Beach, RI and 22 miles from Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Waterpark.

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

28 miles

Narragansett Beach, RI

Weather

Warm Climate

45°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Rhode Island School of Design students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Waterpark, 22 miles away with 4 lifts and 30 skiable acres. All are within 36 miles of campus.

30 skiable acres4 lifts
Blue Hills Ski Area

Massachusetts

30 mi away
60 skiable acres4 lifts
Ski Ward Ski Area

Massachusetts

36 mi away
45 skiable acres4 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at Rhode Island School of Design are 28 miles from Narragansett Beach, RI.

Narragansett Beach, RI

Ocean access within 27.6 miles

28 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Providence, RI

Providence has a cool climate, with winters averaging 30°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.

30°Jan32°Feb39°Mar49°Apr59°May68°Jun74°Jul73°Aug66°Sep54°Oct45°Nov36°Dec

Station: RHODE ISLAND T.F. GREEN INTERNATIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Rhode Island School of Design in RI earns a composite safety score of 42/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

42/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety444337
44/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
43/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
37/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$62,688
Fees
$1,070
Room & Board
$16,626
Total
$80,384
App Fee: $60
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week
$50,507avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

25 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's
143 grads/yr$40,568
Architectural Sciences and TechnologyMaster's
110 grads/yr$80,220
Systems Science and TheoryBachelor's
92 grads/yr
Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's
91 grads/yr$67,771
Computer Software and Media ApplicationsBachelor's
78 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Design and Applied Arts
Master's$93,136
Architectural Sciences and Technology
Master's110 grads$80,220
Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor's91 grads$67,771
Apparel and Textiles
Bachelor's22 grads$59,372
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Bachelor's44 grads$51,278
Fine and Studio Arts
Master's50 grads$48,215
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's143 grads$40,568
Woodworking
Bachelor's29 grads$37,055
Systems Science and Theory
Bachelor's92 grads
Computer Software and Media Applications
Bachelor's78 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rhode Island School of Design located?

Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, RI. The main campus address is 20 Washington Place, Providence, RI. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Rhode Island School of Design?

Rhode Island School of Design has an acceptance rate of 19%, making it highly selective. Out of 6,692 applicants, 1,249 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,084 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Rhode Island School of Design?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Rhode Island School of Design scored between 31 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 32. About 3% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Rhode Island School of Design?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Rhode Island School of Design charges $62,688/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,626/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $56,290/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $50,507/year — what students actually pay. Use Rhode Island School of Design's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Rhode Island School of Design?

The undergraduate application fee at Rhode Island School of Design is $60. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is Rhode Island School of Design the right fit for me?

Whether Rhode Island School of Design is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (19% admit rate), avg net price ($50,507/year after aid), campus culture in Providence, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Rhode Island School of Design against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Rhode Island School of Design directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Providence, RI
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
School Year Weather
Warm · 45°F avg
App Fee
$60
On Campus Safety Score
42/100
Nearest Airport
Providence/Warwick, RI (PVD) · 7 mialso NCO (16 mi), NPT (21 mi)

Location

Providence, RI

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.