Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, Rhode Island · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$50,507
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
88.8%
Admission rate
19%
Undergrad size
2,084
In-state tuition
$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
$62,688
Cost of attendance
$81,727
Median earnings (10y)
$68,140
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,473
- ACT midpoint
- 31
- Retention
- 95.0%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
6 program areas reported · Heavily focused on humanities & arts (80% of credentials).
- STEM12%
- Humanities & arts80%
- Social sciences3%
- Trades & services5%
- ~1,109 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Interdisciplinary16.4%~341 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science11.9%~248 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture10.5%~219 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~106 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~61 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
22 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 244 | $20,934 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 182 | $38,129 | $27,000 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Master's | 180 | — | — |
| Systems Science and Theory. | Bachelor's | 167 | — | $26,748 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Bachelor's | 133 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 98 | $19,604 | $27,000 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor's | 82 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master's | 82 | $30,365 | — |
| Sustainability Studies. | Master's | 52 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 38 | $35,493 | — |
| Apparel and Textiles. | Bachelor's | 37 | — | $27,000 |
| Woodworking. | Bachelor's | 36 | $22,714 | $26,912 |
| Systems Science and Theory. | Master's | 30 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Master's | 28 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Master's | 28 | — | — |
| Architecture. | Bachelor's | 22 | $39,281 | — |
| Woodworking. | Master's | 17 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master's | 16 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Master's | 12 | — | — |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. | Master's | 11 | — | — |
| Architecture. | Master's | — | $56,475 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master's | — | $55,121 | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a mid-sized institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 2,084 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Visual & performing arts, Interdisciplinary, Computer science.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Rhode Island School of Design — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $50,507 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $62,688 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $81,727 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 88.8%, a strong completion outcome. 95.0% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $68,140 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Rhode Island School of Design confers degrees and certificates across 6 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Visual & performing arts, Interdisciplinary, Computer science. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (80% of credentials), stem (12% of credentials), trades & services (5% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Rhode Island School of Design accepts 19% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,473. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 31.
Location & campus
Set in Providence, Rhode Island (city), Rhode Island School of Design draws students from across Rhode Island and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island School of Design
Q.How much does Rhode Island School of Design cost?
The average net price at Rhode Island School of Design is $50,507 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $81,727.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island School of Design has a 6-year graduation rate of 88.8% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island School of Design admits 19% of applicants, which is considered highly selective.
Q.How much do Rhode Island School of Design graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Rhode Island School of Design graduate earns $68,140 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Rhode Island School of Design?
Published tuition is $62,688 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Rhode Island School of Design located?
Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, Rhode Island (ZIP 02903).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Rhode Island School of Design at their official website.