skip to main content

Rhode Island School of Design

Overview

At a Glance

School type

Private, not-for-profit, 4-year or above

School Size & Setting

Medium | Urban

Students-to-Faculty Ratio

5:1

Religious affliation

Not applicable

Mission Statement

The mission of the Rhode Island School of Design, through its college and museum, is to educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship and innovation.

Read More
No Information for this section

cost & financial aid

Annual tuition & fees

Undergraduate

In state

$57,505

Out of state

$57,505
Graduate

In state

$57,505

Out of state

$57,505

Financial Aid: Undergraduates

Received financial aid
42%
Type of aid % of students receiving aid Average amount
Federal grants 13.0% $6,345
State/local grants 0.0% $0
Institutional grants 34.0% $34,950
Loans 34.0% $7,148

Other Estimated Costs

Housing

$15,234 per year

Books & Supplies

$2,700 per year

Personal Expenses

$3,500 per year

Financial aid resources

Paying for college

Learn about different ways to cover costs, incluing financial aid, GI Bills, grants and scholarships

Applying for financial Aid

Review this step-by-step guide on everything you need to do to complete your application.

No Information for this section

Academics

Most Popular Undergraduate majors

  • Systems Science and Theory
  • Computer Graphics
  • Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other
  • Painting
  • Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts
Full List of Majors

Undergraduate Majors X

  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
    • Computer Graphics
      • A program that focuses on the software, hardware, and mathematical tools used to represent, display, and manipulate topological, two-, and three-dimensional objects on a computer screen and that prepares individuals to function as computer graphics specialists. Includes instruction in graphics software and systems; digital multimedia; graphic design; graphics devices, processors, and standards; attributes and transformations; projections; surface identification and rendering; color theory and application; and applicable geometry and algorithms. See other colleges that offer this major
  • FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES
    • Apparel and Textiles, General
      • A general program that focuses on the development of textile products and their distribution and use in terms of the psychological, social, economic, and physical needs of consumers. Includes instruction in the production, distribution, marketing, and end use of various apparel and textile products. See other colleges that offer this major
  • MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
    • Systems Science and Theory
      • A program with a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis and solution of complex problems, requiring a combined approach using data and models from the natural, social, technological, behavioral and life sciences, and other specialized fields. See other colleges that offer this major
  • PRECISION PRODUCTION
    • Furniture Design and Manufacturing
      • A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare and execute furniture design projects, assemble and finish furniture articles or subassemblies, repair furniture, and use a variety of hand and power tools. See other colleges that offer this major
  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Photography
      • A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, and digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other
    • Painting
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by the application of paints and related chemical color substances to canvases or other materials. Includes instruction in color and color mixing, surface preparation, composition, oil and acrylic media, watercolor media, painting techniques, and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Sculpture
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials. Includes instruction in handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. Includes instruction in weaving techniques and loom operation; non-woven techniques such as knitting, coiling, netting, and crocheting; quilting; dyeing and pigmentation; printing and other finishing techniques; pattern design; tapestry; and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Jewelry Arts
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning jewelry from gems, other stones, and precious metals. Includes instruction in design concepts, electroforming, enameling, gemology, lapidary technique and art, metal and non-metal casting and molding, metal coloring, metalsmithing and finishing, personal style development, photo etching, and stone cutting and polishing. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other

Most Popular Graduate programs

  • Sustainability Studies
  • Art Teacher Education
  • Systems Science and Theory
  • Computer Graphics
  • Furniture Design and Manufacturing
Full List of Programs

Graduate ProgramsX

  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
    • Computer Graphics
      • A program that focuses on the software, hardware, and mathematical tools used to represent, display, and manipulate topological, two-, and three-dimensional objects on a computer screen and that prepares individuals to function as computer graphics specialists. Includes instruction in graphics software and systems; digital multimedia; graphic design; graphics devices, processors, and standards; attributes and transformations; projections; surface identification and rendering; color theory and application; and applicable geometry and algorithms. See other colleges that offer this major
  • EDUCATION
  • MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
    • Systems Science and Theory
      • A program with a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis and solution of complex problems, requiring a combined approach using data and models from the natural, social, technological, behavioral and life sciences, and other specialized fields. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
      • An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive acts, and the relationship between cultural forms, everyday life, and structures of power. Includes instruction in anthropology, communications, history, literary studies, philosophy, political economy, and sociology, as well as recent theories and methodologies such as semiotics, deconstruction, postcolonial studies, gender theory, and ethnography. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Sustainability Studies
      • A program that focuses on the concept of sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective. Includes instruction in sustainable development, environmental policies, ethics, ecology, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, economics, natural resources, sociology, and anthropology. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
  • PRECISION PRODUCTION
    • Furniture Design and Manufacturing
      • A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare and execute furniture design projects, assemble and finish furniture articles or subassemblies, repair furniture, and use a variety of hand and power tools. See other colleges that offer this major
  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Photography
      • A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, and digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Painting
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by the application of paints and related chemical color substances to canvases or other materials. Includes instruction in color and color mixing, surface preparation, composition, oil and acrylic media, watercolor media, painting techniques, and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Sculpture
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials. Includes instruction in handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. Includes instruction in weaving techniques and loom operation; non-woven techniques such as knitting, coiling, netting, and crocheting; quilting; dyeing and pigmentation; printing and other finishing techniques; pattern design; tapestry; and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Jewelry Arts
      • A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning jewelry from gems, other stones, and precious metals. Includes instruction in design concepts, electroforming, enameling, gemology, lapidary technique and art, metal and non-metal casting and molding, metal coloring, metalsmithing and finishing, personal style development, photo etching, and stone cutting and polishing. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other
No Information for this section

Admissions

Undergraduate acceptance rate

Acceptance rate
17.42%
  • Apply 5,099
  • Accepted 888
  • Attend 481

Application Fee

Undergraduate
$60
Graduate
$60

Undergraduate application requirements

  • High school transcript

    Required
  • High school GPA

    Required
  • Recommendation letter

    Required
  • Admissions test
    (SAT or ACT)

    Not applicable
  • TOEFL
    (international students)

    Required
  • Completion of college
    prep program

    Not applicable
  • Demonstration of
    competencies

    Required

Average Test Scores

SAT Math
680-785
ACT Composite
29-33
SAT Reading
660-740
No Information for this section

Student Life

Student Demographics

Female Students
67%
Male Students
33%

Student Ethnicities
  1. Two Or More Ethnicities42.52%
  2. Caucasian23.59%
  3. Asian19.43%
  4. Hispanic/Latino8.21%
  5. Black4.27%
  6. Not Specified1.87%
  7. American Indian/Alaska Native0.11%

Student body breakdown

Total students enrolled

2,653

Undergraduate students

2,090

Graduate students

563

Full Time Students
48%
Part Time Students
52%

Student services

  • Meal plan
  • Counseling services
  • Remedial services
  • Work-study
  • Placement services
  • Study abroad
  • Weekend/evening classes
  • On-campus day care for student's children
No Information for this section