About Rhode Island School of Design

Founded in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design. is a Private college. Located in Rhode Island, which is a city setting in Rhode Island, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,999 full time undergraduate students, and 478 full time graduate students.

The Rhode Island School of Design Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 174 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Rhode Island School of Design include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate34%
Application Deadline15-Dec
Application Fee60
SAT Range1080-1340
ACT Range24-30

Admissions at RISD are considered More Selective, with ,4% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 16 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Rhode Island School of Design.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
7%
“Sometimes, but not often”
43%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
43%
“All the time, including weekends”
7%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
50%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
36%
“I feel extremely safe”
80%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
20%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
93%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
43%
“Available in class”
36%
“They keep regular office hours”
14%
“They”re always available”
93%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
7%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
29%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
64%
“We only party on weekends”
7%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
36%
“There might be people who do”
36%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
21%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
7%
“Sometimes, but not often”
43%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
43%
“All the time, including weekends”
7%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
50%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
36%
“I feel extremely safe”
80%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
20%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
93%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
43%
“Available in class”
36%
“They keep regular office hours”
14%
“They”re always available”
93%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
7%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
29%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
64%
“We only party on weekends”
7%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
7%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
36%
“There might be people who do”
36%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
21%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Rhode Island School of Design REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    62 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    54 Students rated off-campus housing 3.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    65 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    66 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    66 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    66 Students rated school activities 3 stars. 6 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    66 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    66 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Rhode Island School of Design?

12 Students rated Rhode Island School of Design

John

RISD is a great place to grow as an artist and individual. Being around talented and driven peers helps inspire you to charge forward. It is truly amazing seeing amazing work all the time. In addition to the peers, teachers are helpful with encouraging you to form an opinion.

Ryan

Its a good art school, but foundation year is a little pointless and the work ethic needs to be there. There is a lot wrong with RISD, but one will find that out later as you enter the school. Don't worry too much about the academics as some of it is completely subjective, also just do your work and get into your major.

Adriella

Risd as a whole is a creditable school. Yet they are stingy with their money creating an elitist environment. Facilities and academics are top notch but any chance they get they will get money out of you. In term of professional staff, the diversity is low. A (non statistic) guess would be that 80{6f65e1278338a62264eed73e2adc5af8e2841420db12ceb4f80b8db22f3260ec} of the staff is white.

Alaijah

I think Rhode Island School of Design is an amazing creative and educational school. I am looking forward to going 2018.

Rhode Island School of Design FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Rhode Island School of Design?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Rhode Island School of Design is 34%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I think I still would have done things the same way as I did. The only difference would be that I would have done things with a lot more confidence, in myself and my decisions. I wasn't sure if I was good enough or had the ability to do what I decided to do. However, following ones instinct is very important. I wish I followed my instinct, instead of testing the water.

    Read all  55 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are unique and original and work very hard to stay focused.

    Read all  15 answers
  4. What's unique about your campus?

    "It's really about... the personal development, risd is all about creating communities and providing an opportunity for students to get involved,"

    Read all  15 answers
  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    RISD's mission statement highlights the schools desire to make a positive impact recognizing global and environmental needs and their importance. RISD fails from a green/eco perspective, many students do to know how to recycle, do not care to recycle and have blatant disregard for environmental concerns-(use of energy, basic recycling etc) the school does not actively educate nor require or acknowledge this problem. Publicly they claim to encourage and support green thinking yet they do little to educate students to common environmentally friendly principles. This goes against what RISD claims are it's common principles. False advertising.

    Read all  13 answers
  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    There is so much racial diversity. People from all over the world attend my school for its education.

    Read all  11 answers
  7. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Probably the tuition. It is expensive. Not to say it isn't worth it, but it is still alot of money. And that can get in the way alot of times.

    Read all  10 answers
  8. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    RISD is an environment where you are surrounded by people who, on the whole, know and care about what they're doing ; they are there because they want to be there and have put in the work to make it happen.

    Read all  9 answers
  9. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    It's ranked as number one, THE BEST art school. It is known as Harvard of Art School. Other school like SAIC is where all the shits who didn't get accepted to our school belongs!

    Read all  9 answers
  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Art and Design

    Read all  7 answers
  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    If you are unsure if art is what you want to spend the rest of your life doing, then doon't come to this school. The intensive work ethic required to complete assignments and survive the multiple eight hour studios leaves no room for self doubt. If art is your life, RISD is perfect for you. When not in class, the large workload leaves little free time, which must be split between social life and work. So if you decide to attend, expect art to manifest itself in every part of your life.

    Read all  7 answers
  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    People that should not attend this school will posses little to none of the following characteristics listed below: creative open minded understanding adaptable self motivated determined independent enthusiastic strong willed studious attentive prioritized oraganized eager to take in everything compassionate Individuals that do not have all or most of these characteristic will find the school challenging. RISD is an outgoing campus that creates networks through the estabished artisitic community. It is an unique school, from its academic calendar to the excessive workload. The pressure is overbearing and can break many that are not ready to take on the task.

    Read all  7 answers
  13. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I knew how hard it would be to decide on classes at this school. I have a lot of interests and feel very lucky to have so many options, it has really helped me find my way and what I love to do with my artistic abilities.

    Read all  5 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    Thankfully, RISD tends to only accept the top applicants. So unlike say, a state university which might be require to accept all students interested in a design or art subject, RISD can be pickier. A state university would then place this hodgepodge of freshman into a foundation class (if they even have one!) After a year of foundations, or other 100 level courses, they may or may not cut design and art majors based on GPA or maybe other factors (portfolio review). RISD reviews the quality of students coming in and along the way. But all those talented undergrads all take foundation at RISD. This builds camaraderie and is a foundation for study in a major for the remaining 3 years.

    Read all  2 answers
  15. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Basically, none of the stereotypes are true. RISD students might come in looking like “outsiders” from high schools but deep in them all are some of the hardest working and most creative people in the world. These same people will be designing your car, building, product, book, iPad interface, identity design, everything! someday.

    Read all  1 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    I would say everything is very balanced.. some are favored over others like drawing, and sculpture and painting are valued more than apparel.

    Read all  1 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Quirky fine artist, punks, weirdos, etc.

    Read all  1 answers
  18. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    One unadvertised advantage is that RISD is directly next to Brown. RISD students can take Brown classes. So RISD is not only a top design and art school it is also a kind of Ivy League university all rolled into one. Brown students also have access to RISD but, note that Brown students do not get RISD degrees and are subject to the same minimal skill levels and prerequisites required for a particular course. One possible advantage that is also a kind of disadvantage is that RISD is in a kind of amazing bubble all its own. It is hard to describe but, I guess all great schools are like this. The faculty, your fellow students, and the atmosphere is kind of off on its own. totally focused and really into the field you are studying. Other art schools might not have this intensity. Maybe they have more distractions being in more exciting cities or are in the boondocks/depressed cities and students are distracted with boredom. Providence seems to be just the right amount of college town. Not like Boston with hundreds of colleges in the metro area but, just a few (mainly RISD, Brown, and Johnson and Wales). Providence is also charming and livable (if always slightly high for petty crime, robbery, and burglary - a problem that seems endemic to Rhode Island. Never leave a thing in your car and rent a place with an alarm system!) It is also close but not too close to Boston (if needed) and a short drive or train ride to NYC. All these factors create a kind of special atmosphere I have never seen at any other school except one or two in the U.S. and some in Europe. The downside is that, to a certain degree, this is a fantasy world. Grasping at unrealistic solutions to complex problems. When students graduate, they realize, the profession they are entering is not at all like the RISD world. Their colleagues might not have loved typography or gotten as much of it as they did or other examples in other fields. So you find yourself surrounded by people at work who, well, are not as into design as you are. It can be a shock and you have to adapt and understand that, while at RISD, typography is God and was a God to be worshiped. But once you leave Oz, Xanadu, Skull Island, or whatever incredible place RISD was for you - you have to adapt.

    Read all  1 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    "strange people" or "Asian school and white school" or "popular rich school" I don't agree with these stereotypes.. in fact i'm not rich at all... I just got extremely lucky and found a way into this school the best way I could.. Not everyone here is rich/ but their are a few.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

69%

female

31%

male

1,999

Total Undergrad Enrollment

478

Total Grad Students

65%

Out-Of-State

4%

In-State

31%

International

Organizations

31

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

63%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
20%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
8%
% White or Caucasian
32%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

44% of students attending Rhode Island School of Design receive some sort of financial aid. 13% were awarded federal grants. While 34% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$47,110

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$2,700

Books and Supplies

$12,850

Room and Board

62,660

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$31,129
$30 - $48K
$34,188
$48 - $75K
$34,979
$75 - $110K
$44,122
$110K & UP
$54,093

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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