Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design

(RISD)

Providence, RIPrivateArt & DesignAdmissions

The Rhode Island School of Design is one of the most prestigious art and design colleges in the world, located in Providence, Rhode Island. Its cross-registration program with neighboring Brown University allows students to combine rigorous studio art training with Ivy League liberal arts coursework, and the RISD Museum houses over 100,000 works of art.

Notable Alumni

Seth MacFarlane (creator of Family Guy)David Byrne (frontman of Talking Heads)Dale Chihuly (world-famous glass artist)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
20%
SAT (Optional)
1250–1430
Avg GPA
3.71
Enrollment
2K
Setting
Urban
Founded
1877

Cost

Tuition$60K
Room & Board$17K
Est. Annual Total$77K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

#1 art and design school
Brown University cross-registration
RISD Museum

Safety

Campus SafetySafe

Department of Public Safety operates 24/7 across the urban campus with on-demand RISD Rides, safety training, and proactive community patrols.

Neighborhood SafetySafe

RISD sits on College Hill, one of Providence's safest neighborhoods with crime rates 55% below the city average.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

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