Rhode Island School of Design is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Providence, Rhode Island. It enrolls 2,084 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Academic Calendar4-1-4 Plan
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
64/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes94
Value4
Affordability4
Selectivity94
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 18.7%, Rhode Island School of Design is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
18.7%
Very Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1396 – 1530
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
31 – 34
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Rhode Island School of Design is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
11.9 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Rhode Island School of Design isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $50,507 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$50,507
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
15%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
29%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$62,688
Room & Board (on-campus)
$16,626
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,626
Books & Supplies
$3,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,672
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,718
Total Cost of Attendance
$81,727
Application fee: $60 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$29,135
$30,001 – $48,000
$30,233
$48,001 – $75,000
$25,872
$75,001 – $110,000
$33,893
Over $110,000
$64,493
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,75010%percentile
$14,00025%percentile
$27,000Medianpercentile
$30,25075%percentile
$35,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $26,397
↓ $603
No Pell $20,543
↓ $6,457
Dependent students $23,250
↓ $3,750
Independent students $35,500
↑ $8,500
Female students $21,500
↓ $5,500
Male students $26,426
↓ $574
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $11,992, less than completers ($27,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
90% of full-time students who enrolled at Rhode Island School of Design graduate within six years, and 94% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
90%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
94%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Rhode Island School of Design earn a median of $68,140 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$68,140
Earning > $25K
75%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$51,900
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$62,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$60,100
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$54,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$55,300
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,900, about 17% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
4.5 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 90% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Rhode Island School of Design is home to 2,084 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,084
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
11%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
International 33.1%690
Asian 25.8%537
White 21.2%442
Hispanic 8.1%169
Other 5.0%105
Black 4.9%102
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Rhode Island School of Design. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityProvidence, Rhode Island
Housing
Mostly residential1,452 beds on campus
Adult Learners
2%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
4-1-4 Planscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Rhode Island School of Design offers
a varied set of programs:
19 distinct programs across
8 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Rhode Island School of Design is 8:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
8:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$497M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$99,388
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
200 instructional faculty across 3 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
75
38%
$129,970
Associate Professors
63
32%
$91,485
Assistant Professors
62
31%
$70,425
Pros & Cons of Rhode Island School of Design
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Rhode Island School of Design tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Highly selective, strong peer cohort
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
High net price compared to most US colleges
Highly competitive admissions, many strong applicants are rejected
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Rhode Island School of Design is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students seeking a highly selective peer group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rhode Island School of Design
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Rhode Island School of Design.
Is Rhode Island School of Design hard to get into?
Rhode Island School of Design is highly selective. Its acceptance rate is 18.7%, so admitted students generally have strong grades, competitive test scores, and a well-rounded application.
What is the acceptance rate at Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island School of Design has an acceptance rate of 18.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island School of Design?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Rhode Island School of Design scored between 1396 and 1530 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Rhode Island School of Design?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Rhode Island School of Design scored between 31 and 34 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Rhode Island School of Design cost?
The average net price after aid at Rhode Island School of Design is $50,507 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Rhode Island School of Design worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $68,140 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $50,507 per year. That's roughly 1.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Rhode Island School of Design known for?
Rhode Island School of Design is best known for its programs in Fine Arts, Architectural Sciences and Technology, Systems Science and Theory. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Rhode Island School of Design graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Rhode Island School of Design are $68,140, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Rhode Island School of Design accredited?
Yes. Rhode Island School of Design is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island School of Design enrolls 2,084 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Rhode Island School of Design?
Rhode Island School of Design graduates 90% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Rhode Island School of Design a public or private college?
Rhode Island School of Design is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Rhode Island School of Design located?
Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
What programs does Rhode Island School of Design offer?
Rhode Island School of Design offers 19 distinct programs. The most popular include Fine Arts, Architectural Sciences and Technology, Systems Science and Theory.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Rhode Island School of Design?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Rhode Island School of Design is 8:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Rhode Island
Other colleges in Rhode Island share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Rankings That Feature Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design appears in these rankings, built from the same federal data and the UCD Score.
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$76,571 Top Earn
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71 UCD Score
17 Colleges
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$8,522 Lowest Net
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71 UCD Score
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