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Last updated on 10 Oct '25RISDWhat's new?
The RISD deadline for international students is:
- (The 2025 ED applications for UG are no longer being accepted).
- The tentative deadlines for the 2026 year is Nov 1, 2025 and the tentative Regular Decision application deadline is Jan 15, 2026.
About Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a private university of Art and Design School founded in 1877 and is situated in Providence, Rhode Island. The school is accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education. As of 2024, the RISD is ranked 4 by subject according to a top-ranking publisher. RISD consists of approx. 2,090 undergraduate students with around 448 graduate students and 34% international students.
Things to Know About Rhode Island School of Design
Some important things to know about the Rhode Island School of Design are listed below:
|
Particulars |
Validations |
|---|---|
|
Establishment |
1877 |
|
Acceptance Rate |
19% |
|
Total Students |
2500+ |
|
Public or Private University |
Private School |
|
Annual Tuition Cost |
|
|
Popular Programs |
|
Rhode Island School of Design History
Rhode Island School of Design was one of the first independent colleges of art and design. RISD was founded by a group of women way before the women in America gained the right to vote. The college emerged with the desire to support the state’s thriving textile and jewelry industries in particular with Freehand Drawing & Painting and Mechanical Drawing and Design eventually being introduced as the first courses offered at RISD. Claudius Buchanan Farnsworth was a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly and the first president of RISD’s board. He was responsible for bringing the school’s original application for incorporation before the state’s legislative body in 1877.
The RISD offers its students a campus with a RISD museum allowing them to explore 100,000 works of art and design and provide them with the opportunity to expand their creative practices and connect with the local communities along with a library of over 150,000+ art books, and periodicals. Students can opt for on-campus residence halls which provide them with a social, safe, and inclusive opportunity throughout the program. RISD also ensures the health and wellness of its students and also provides delicious and nutritious meal options to the students. With an acceptance rate of 19% admission to RISD college is moderately competitive. RISD offers excellent academics in both graduate and undergraduate programs. Some of the popular courses offered by RISD are BFA in Graphic Design, MFA in Graphic Design, BFA in Film and Animation, and many more.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
According to US News and World Report 2024 RISD has an acceptance rate of 19% which means out of every 100 applications only 19 are selected which makes it highly competitive to get selected into the university
The university gives preference to students having higher grades or have exceptional academic or research experience. Hence having higher grades increases your chance of getting selected at Rhode Island School of Design.
Here is the list of all the eligibility criteria to get into Rhode Island School of Design.
Some sectors that may be of interest to Indian students for doing part-time jobs at Rhode Island School of Design include:
Graphic Design: There are 20 graphic design jobs available.
Liberal Arts: The Rhode Island School of Design offers a wide range of Liberal Arts courses along with around ten full-time and twenty-eight part-time faculty members.
Healthcare: There are 27 Indian jobs available in Rhode Island, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Physician, and Child Protection Practitioner.
Two Days Week Jobs: There are 781 two-day week jobs available in Providence, RI, which may be suitable for students looking for part-time work.
The Rhode Island School of Design does offer placement opportunities to its students. RISD alumni are employed in various fields such as Information Technology, Program & Project Management, Product Management, Research, and Marketing etc.
Rhode Island School of Design Rankings 2025
The Rhode Island School of Design is part of the best universities in the Rhode Island region & ranks highly as part of university rankings given by several prominent ranking publications, including Shiksha.
As part of the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings, the institute acheives a country-level rank of #2 for its Arts based programs, while the same source also ranks its Master of Arts (M.A.) programs as the #7th best program in the United States, as a recognition of the standard of education & knowledge imparted to the institute's students.
Another prominent source ranks the institute #4 for Arts & Design Studies as part of its latest university & colleges rankings.
For more ranking related information, click: Rhode Island School of Design Rankings 2025
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Both Rhode Island School of Design and Pratt Institute are Prestigious universities which offers state of the art education to its students, a broad comparison between the two universities is given below:
Parameters | Rhode Island School of Design | Pratt Institute |
|---|---|---|
City Located | Providence, Rhode Island | New York |
Type of University | Private | Private |
Total Enrollment | 2576 | 14,119 |
Number or percentage of international students | 33% | 8.25% |
Average Tuition fees* | INR 39L | INR 46.21L |
Acceptance rate# | 19% | 63% |
Student to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 13:1 |
*for tuition fees B.Arch. is considered for both universities.
#Acceptance rate is given as per US News and World Report.
RISD College is one of the top private art colleges in the world securing an overall rank of 135 in 2022 as per the top-ranking publishers. Moreover, the University is also ranked at 4 for the best college in Regional Universities North. Rhode Island School of Design’s acceptance rate is 19% hence making admission to the University moderately competitive. Besides the academic excellence offered by RISD, the university also ensures a campus that is inclusive, and diverse ensuring good accomodation facilities as well for the students.
Popular Program
Amongst the multiple courses offered by the college, all first-year undergraduate students at RISD need to enroll in Experimental & Foundation Studies to ensure that students receive a basic understanding of RISD’s approach to studio learning. RISD offers UG and PG degrees across various courses such as Fine Arts, Architecture, Animation, Design, and Graphics. As of 2024, based on credible information on the web Rhode School of Design enrolls around 2044 UG and 532 PG students with approximately 33% international students. Some of the most popular courses offered by the Rhode Island School of Design include BFA/MFA in Graphic Design and BFA in Film/Animation/Video.
The pie chart given below provides information on the various popular courses offered at Rhode Island School of Design
Note: The 'Others' in the pie chart refers to some popular courses such as Marketing, Interior Architecture, Apparel Design, etc.
UG Degrees Offered at Rhode Island School of Design are mentioned below-
|
|
Duration |
|---|---|
|
BFA Apparel Design |
4 years |
|
BArch Architecture |
5 years |
|
BFA Film/Animation/Video |
4 years |
|
BFA Furniture Design |
4 years |
PG Degree Offered at Rhode Island School of Design-
|
|
Duration |
|---|---|
|
MFA in Graphic Design |
2 years |
|
MFA in Illustration |
2 years |
|
MFA in Digital + Media |
2 years |
13.6K+ students got admitted through us.
13.6K+ students got admitted through us.
Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Experimental & Foundational Studies is a curriculum offered to the first-year undergraduate major students of RISD College. The main aim behind this curriculum is to provide a shared understanding of studio learning. EFS incorporates three programs- Drawing, Design, and Spatial Dynamics.
Different people have different opinions for RISD. Some have a positive opinion which includes university's praise, high rankings and the way they prepare their students for the outside world. Whereas some people raises concerns about the high tuition fee.
BFA in Film/Animation/Video is a 4-year course offered by the Rhode Island School of Design ensuring students’ learning by focusing on making documentaries, animated work, experimental and narrative films by using multiple techniques such as GCI, stop-motion animation, and more.
Admissions 2026
Application Deadlines
(RISD applications for 2025 are no longer being accepted)
- The tentative deadlines for the 2026 year is Nov 1, 2025.
- The tentative Regular Decision application deadline is Jan 15, 2026.
Requirements for Indian Students
The main RISD application process is completed through the common application. The application documents required for both undergraduate and graduate students are mentioned below-
- English language proficiency test
- A portfolio of 10-12 examples presenting your best work
- An assignment (for undergraduates) and a statement of purpose (for graduates)
- 1-3 LORS
Acceptance Rate
Rhode Island School of Design’s acceptance rate is 19% hence making admission to the University moderately competitive.
Application Fee
International students must pay $60 as an admission fee at RISD for both undergraduate and graduate programs. An additional $10 fee is also charged for submitting an online portfolio. Both the fees are non-refundable.
Eligibility
At the undergraduate level, non-native English-speaking students are required to submit their English Proficiency score. Students can be exempted from taking the proficiency score if he/she has previously attended an English medium school. The English Proficiency score requirements laid down by RISD are-
|
English Exam Accepted |
Minimum Score Required for UG and PG |
|---|---|
|
93 |
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
Duolingo |
115 |
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Applying to RISD is similar to applying to other universities in the US in that applicants need to submit their credentials electronically using the online methods or mail paper versions of official transcripts, recommendations, and test reports to the RISD Admissions Office however RISD is a specialised art and design school so applicants need to submit artwork, test scores, and essays/statements. RISD has advanced tools and resources for students to use, and the campus hosts some 80,000 artworks.
RISD has an acceptance rate of 19% making admissions to the university somewhat competitive and selective and students must secure the English proficiency test equal to or higher than the minimum scores accepted by the university that are given below
English Language Proficiency Test Type | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
93 | |
6.5 | |
Duolingo | 115 |
International students must submit all the required documents stated by the Rhode Island School of Design such as a portfolio, a statement of purpose, a Letter of Recommendation, and other required documents to increase their chances of acceptance at the university.
Rhode Island School of Design has approximately 776 international students on campus, out of which 518 are undergraduates. There are international students from 65 different countries at the Rhode Island School of Design, with the majority of international students from China, South Korea, and Canada. Exchange programs are held at the university with top art and design schools and universities from all over the world, which provide students the chance to study abroad and participate in cross-cultural experiences, RISD further demonstrates its dedication to global participation.
RISDScholarships
Applicants will be considered for the RISD Scholarship based on the financial aid application process during the time of admission to RISD’s Scholarships.
Special Scholarships-
First-year students with high academic achievements and artistic achievements are offered several scholarships each year by RISD. The scholarship comprises two awards of a minimum $10,000 given to students participating in the National YoungArts Foundation competition and two awards worth $10,000 are given to students participating in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must apply for the YoungArts Foundation competition or the Scholastic Art & Writing Award. Financial aid controlled by the Rhode Island School of Design is unavailable to special, visiting, international or, exchange students.
Scholarships awarded by the Rhode Island School of Design to undergraduate international students include:
- Graduate Fellowship
- Graduate Assistantship
Other scholarships that international students can apply for are-
|
Scholarship name |
Amount |
Scholarship type |
|---|---|---|
|
Unimoni student stars 2023 |
INR 3 L |
External |
|
JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship |
INR 10 L |
External |
|
K.C. Mahindra Scholarships |
INR 10 L |
External |
|
Young Women in Public Affairs Award |
INR 4.2 L |
External |
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Graduate assistantship is assigned by the graduate programme director through each graduate programme during the admission process. The specific positions are not assigned until the beginning of each semester. International students without a social security number are refrained from the assistantship during the first semester.
For international students to receive the benefits of the scholarship offered by RISD College, students need to participate in the National YoungArts Foundation Competition which comprises two awards of at least $10,000 (INR 835,115). Two awards of a minimum $10,000 are also made to participants in the Scholastic Art & Writing Award in which international students can participate. Other scholarships awarded by the Rhode Island School of Design for undergraduate international students include Graduate Fellowship and Graduate Assistantship.
Some of top scholarships for Indian students at RISD are-
RISD Scholarships- These scholarships are given based on financial need at the time of admission and assume full time enrollment.
Kanti and Hansa Jasani Family Textile Scholarship: This scholarship offers three $1,000 scholarships to Indian students, specifically Indian citizens with a focus on textile-related careers.
AATCC Foundation Scholarships: The AATCC Foundation provides scholarships to students attending a US university, including Indian students.
To avail these scholarships, international students need to complete the institutional financial aid form available via the Admissions applicant status portal. For the AATCC Foundation Scholarships, students should apply through the AATCC Foundation website.
RISD Popular Courses
2 yearsPlacements
The graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design secure placement across multiple organizations and industries. Some of the organizations and sectors in which the graduates of the university secure placements are listed below:
- The graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design secure placements in organizations such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Nike, Meta, Amazon, Netflix, and others.
- The alumni of the university secure placement in industries such as Engineering, Information Technology, Community and Social Services, Marketing, Media and Communication, and many more.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
Note: The 'Others' in the pie chart refers to some other placement opportunities such as Consulting, Research, Product Management, Sales, etc.
ROI After Education at Rhode Island School of Design
The average salary of the graduates of Rhode Island School of Design after graduation is around USD 78K (INR 65 L).
(Note: The average graduate salary has been derived from unofficial sources)
Top Employers
The graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design secure job placements in top companies across multiple organizations such as:
- Meta
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Netflix
- Nike
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Some of the well-known organizations in which the graduates of RISD college work are Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nike. The average salary of gradutes at Rhode Island School of Design is approximately INR 33 - 35L.
Fees
Rhode Island School of Design tuition fee for UG applicants is around USD 85,986 (INR 7,183,588). This consists of housing expenses, food, study material, travel, personal expenses, etc.
For postgraduate students, the Rhode Island School of Design’s cost is around $91,864 (INR 7,674,658). This includes outside expenses such as housing, food, books, transportation, etc. An application fee of $60 (INR 5,011) needs to be paid by international students for both graduate and undergraduate programs.
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MFA(2 courses) | INR 52 L - 55 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
B.E. / B.Tech(1 course) | INR 55 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo |
M.A.(1 course) | INR 55 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
B.J.M.C.(1 course) | INR 53 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
M.Arch(1 course) | INR 52 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
BFA(3 courses) | INR 55 L - 57 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
B.Arch(1 course) | INR 55 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 93 & Above, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Your application for admission at Rhode Island School of Design is reviewed on the following parameter:
- Rigor of your high school curriculum
- Difficulty of coursework
- Extra-curricular or leadership activities
- Awards
- Special talents or skills possessed by a student
- Letters of recommendation (optional)
The Rhode Island School of Design look for certain qualities to assess the applications into MBA program, applicants having following qualities are desired: Professional work experience, Academic potential, Proven success working in teams, Cultural diversity or international work or travel experience, Leadership qualities and Effective communication skills.
RISDStudent profile
Others
64%
Asian
22%
Hispanic
8%
Black
4%
Out of state
58%
Foreign
40%
In state
1%
24 and under
98%
25 and over
1%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
Notable Alumni
Many graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design have made a successful name out in the world, especially in film-making and television. The list of notable alumni who graduated from RISD College is mentioned below-
|
Alumni |
Profession |
Pictures |
|---|---|---|
|
Michael Dante Dimartino |
American animator, producer, writer & director.
|
|
|
Seth Macfarlane |
American actor, animator director, comedian, singer, writer & producer.
|
|
|
Angus MacLane |
American filmmaker, animator, voice actor.
|
|
|
James Franco |
Actor, Artist |
|
|
Jemima Kirke |
Artist, Actor, Director |
|
|
David Hanson Jr. |
Robotics Designer of Sofia |
|
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
There are multiple successful alumni of Rhode Island School of Design. One such well-known alumnus of RISD is Robert Richardson, an American cinematographer. He is famous for his trademark aggressively bright highlight and shapeshifting style of film-making. Some of his best contributions to the industry include The Hateful Eight, Born on the Fourth of July, Hugo, and many more.
Rhode Island Vs Parson Vs Pratt Institute: Which is Better?
RISD, PSD and Pratt Institute are all top universities in the United States. Given below are pointers for comparison:
- RISD was ranked by Subject #4 in 2024. While Parson ranked #4 in 2023 and Pratt has ranked university by Subject #6 in 2024.
-RISD offers Illustration, Industrial Design, Ceramic Art, etc.
PSD offers courses like Architectural Design, Communication Design, Fashion Design, and many more, and some of the well-known majors offered by the Pratt are Visual &Performing Arts, Architecture & Related Services, Communication Technologies, Education, and Technicians & Support Services.
The infographic given below offers a university comparison between the above-mentioned universities:
Compare RISD with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 52.08 L - 54.63 L | -/- | |
| INR 38.83 L - 48.58 L | -/- | |
| INR 49.78 L - 74.67 L | -/- | |
| INR 22.42 L - 29.9 L | -/- | |
| INR 28.7 L | #84 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 23.21 L | #301 US News, 2026 |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
Suject ranking of Rhode Island School of Design and Pratt Institute is mentioned below
University | Subject | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
Rhode Island School of Design | Art & Design Art History Arts & Humanities | #4 #9 #294 |
Pratt Institute | Art & Design Art History Arts & Humanities | #6 #17 #401-450 |
Rhode Island School of Design is ranked #4 by subject in 2024 and Pratt Institute rank #6 by subject. In ranking RISD has higher position than Pratt. The tuition fee for Pratt Institute is approximately $59,683 (INR 4,997,102) in comparison to the tuition fee at RISD which is approx. $57,505 (INR 4,814,744). Both universities offer a range of courses and programs for students to opt from. Some of the top courses offered by the Rhode Island School of Design are Graphic Design, Architecture, Illustration, and many more. Some of the top courses offered by Pratt University are Interior Design, Industrial Design, architecture, etc. Both universities are top universities in the USA offering multiple courses to choose from along with a great campus life.
Studying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
International students must meet the requirements to study in USA. Students must have a required qualification as per the programme and submit the test score during the process. Check below the English language test and additional tests accepted by US Universities:
Entrance Exam | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
524 | |
500 | |
434 | |
12 |
English Language Exams | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 1032 |
960 | |
816 |
Rhode Island School of Design Campus Life
The Rhode Island School of Design ensures an inclusive, and diverse campus life for students besides offering academic excellence. The university consists of an RISD museum, a library, research labs, and many other facilities for students to enjoy their time at the institute.
Athletics
The institute runs a dedicated athletic programs offering a number of varsity sports including: Basketball, Hockey, Kendo, Rock Climbing, Rowing, Soccer & Volleyball among others.
Students can also opt to join a number of sports clubs such as Cycling, Equestrian, Surfing, Wilderness, Ski & Snowboarding among others.
Events
Academic & Cultural Events are very common over the course of an academic year, with events taking place on a monthly basis. Students can opt to be part of a number of student clubs & organizations, with the most prominent ones being: 15 West, BRIC, Alternative Media Club, American Society of Landscape Architects & Anime Manga Illustration Club.
Housing
The institute maintains on-campus student accommodation offering private/shared rooms, with access to all important facilities needed to maintain a decent standard of life including: Wi-Fi, Food, Gym, Laundry & Bathroom facilities.
Alternatively, the option of off-campus accommodation is also available, the institute maintains a dedicated off-campus housing resource, providing all the important information that a student needs for residing in Rhode Island.
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 1
The RISD offers housing facilities to students ensuring that the students enjoy their time at RISD by making new friends. The University offers multiple housing options such as on-campus housing, medical housing accommodation, and off-campus housing. Students have access to facilities such as laundry machines, and dining plans. Depending on which housing option the students opt for, the facilities provided with it also vary.
The Rhode Island School of Design offers students more than 50 clubs and organizations to participate. These associations allow the students find like minded students and also gain the exposure. Students are also offered community projects and other intercultural activities. Apart from this, students can also visit museums, art exhibitions etc.
Yes, living as part of RISD accommodation is mandatory for all first & second-year students, unless a student qualifies for a residency waiver. After the first two years, the students have the flexibility of living off-campus if they wish to.
However, it must be noted that if a student signs a housing & dining license for the 3rd or 4th year, then they have to stay as part of on-campus facilities, as there's no option to move in the middle of an academic year.
RISD FAQs
Rhode Island School of Design is one of the most sought destination for International students. with an acceptance rate of 19% the Rhode Island School of Design is one of the popular university among International student’s community.
- The Rhode Island School of Design accepts students from many countries across the globe. However, the students who do not have English as their first language may require to have English language proficiency Tests score.
- Career Boost to the students: The students of Rhode Island School of Design have a good career after studying from the university as it prepares them holistically about the industry requirements and providing them the opportunity to have a successful career. According to Alumni Survey for Class of 2021 released by the Rhode Island School of Design, in December 2022, more than 77% of its graduates were found to be employed and 18% pursuing higher education. The average salary of a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design is approximately INR 33-35L.
- During the period of 2000-2020, there are 11 winners of Prestigious MACARTHUR ‘GENUIS’ AWARD, among other awards.
- Post Work Opportunities: USA is the top destination among International students including Indian students to settle after studying. The country offers a high quality of life, good job opportunities, and a work life balance.
Here is all you need to know post study work visa in USA.
RISD
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 months ago
Rhode Island School of Design cost include various expenses such as tuition cost, activity fee, academic or technology fee, housing, food, books and supplies, personal expenses, travel expenses, and more. Students can refer the table below for cost of education at the Rhode Island School of Design f
J
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 months ago
Rhode Island School of Design expects a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or above in case of undergraduate and graduate admissions. Students coming from diverse countries must fulfill their English language proficiency by submitting the required scores of IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, and more. Students can che
J
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 months ago
The Rhode Island School of Design is a highly culturally diverse community standing for equality and non-discrimination and extensively involved in bringing artistic minds from across the globe together. As per the official source, RISD had 33% international undergraduate students coming from 50 dif
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 months ago
RISD allows its full-time students to work on and off the campus. The most popular options are to work at the campus tech shops, the RISD Museum and Nature Lab. Students can also choose to work on the campus at the Carr House Cafe, RISD shops, or 2nd Life, a recycled art supply store run by RISD stu
T
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 5 months ago
Rhode Island School of Design offer range of programs to international students. Some of the popular programs at the university are given below:
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Film, Animation, and Video
- Graphic Design
- Architecture
P
Contributor-Level 8
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Rhode Island School of Design
Aerial View
Carr House - Rhode Island School of Design
RISDLocation
| University City | Providence, Rhode Island, USA |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 1,79,000 |
RISDCampuses
Two College Street Providence, RI 02903-2784
Visit official siteRISDContact Information
Two College Street
Providence, RI 02903-2784
Providence ( Rhode Island)
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