Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Online | risd.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus 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.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
RISD is rated within the top 19% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Rhode Island School of Design within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#90 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#81 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in Rhode Island
#2 in Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island
#356 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1370/1540 |
| ACT | 30/33 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.71 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very High |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,700 |
| Other Fees | $1,070 |
| Room and Board | $15,850 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,500 |
| Total One Year Cost | $81,810 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts | 73% |
| Architecture | 18% |
| Work and Family Studies | 5% |
| Precision Production Trades | 4% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering RISD are frequently interested in these similar 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.
Current students may use the Rhode Island School of Design GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025