Rhode Island School of Design

www.risd.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$55,220

2.6% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$38,234

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

0.615%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

18.7%

4,742 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

2,576

100% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

86.2%

399 Graduates

About

Rhode Island School of Design is a higher education institution located in Providence County, RI. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Rhode Island School of Design were Illustration (73 degrees awarded), Systems Science & Theory (68 degrees), and Computer Graphics (66 degrees).

In 2021, 649 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Rhode Island School of Design. 68.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 31.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (186 degrees), 2.42 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (77 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Rhode Island School of Design is $55,220, which is $40,720 more than the national average for Special Focus Institutions ($14,500).

Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools Special Focus Institutions

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Rhode Island School of Design is $55,220, which is $40,720 more than the national average for Special Focus Institutions ($14,500).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $38,234.

In 2021, 42% of undergraduate students attending Rhode Island School of Design received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 36% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$55,220

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Rhode Island School of Design was $55,220. The cost of tuition at Rhode Island School of Design is $40,720 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Special Focus Institutions ($14,500).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Rhode Island School of Design (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$38,234

2021 Value

4.53%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Rhode Island School of Design had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $38,234. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Rhode Island School of Design grew by 4.53%.

This chart compares the average net price of Rhode Island School of Design (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$14,430

Room and Board

$2,700

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Rhode Island School of Design was of $14,430 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 5.17% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $2,700. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Rhode Island School of Design (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

42%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

36%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

42% of undergraduate students at Rhode Island School of Design received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 20% with respect to 2020, when 35% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Rhode Island School of Design (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.615%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Rhode Island School of Design was 0.615%, which represents 2 out of the 325 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Rhode Island School of Design received 4,742 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 18.5% annual growth. Out of those 4,742 applicants, 886 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 18.7% acceptance rate.

There were 2,576 students enrolled at Rhode Island School of Design in 2021. 31% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Rhode Island School of Design has an overall enrollment yield of 56%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

18.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

886

Accepted Out of 4,742

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Rhode Island School of Design was 18.7% (886 admissions from 4,742 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 27.1%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 18.5%, while admissions declined by −18.3%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Rhode Island School of Design (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

31%

Submission Percentage (2021)

155

Scores Submitted (2021)

31% of enrolled first-time students at Rhode Island School of Design in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Rhode Island School of Design had a total enrollment of 2,576 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Rhode Island School of Design is 2,576 students and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Rhode Island School of Design are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Rhode Island School of Design, both undergraduate and graduate, is 24.8% White, 19.2% Asian, 8.23% Hispanic or Latino, 5.67% Two or More Races, 4.35% Black or African American, and 0.116% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Rhode Island School of Design in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Asian Female (16.1%), followed by White Female (13.2%) and White Male (10.3%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18%), followed by White Male (11.8%) and Asian Female (4.32%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

100%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Rhode Island School of Design in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 2,576 students. The full-time enrollment at Rhode Island School of Design is 2,576 and the part-time enrollment is 0. This means that 100% of students enrolled at Rhode Island School of Design are enrolled full-time compared with 69.7% at similar Special Focus Institutions.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Rhode Island School of Design (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

95%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Rhode Island School of Design was 95%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Special Focus Institutions (69%), Rhode Island School of Design had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Rhode Island School of Design (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
639 enrolled students
Asian
495 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
212 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Rhode Island School of Design is 24.8% White, 19.2% Asian, 8.23% Hispanic or Latino, 5.67% Two or More Races, 4.35% Black or African American, and 0.116% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Special Focus Institutions is 43.6% White, 18.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 14% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 53 students (2.06%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 241 more women than men received degrees from Rhode Island School of Design. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Rhode Island School of Design is white (186 degrees awarded). There were 2.42 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (77 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Rhode Island School of Design is Illustration (73 degrees awarded), followed by Systems Science & Theory (68 degrees) and Computer Graphics (66 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Rhode Island School of Design, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Architecture and Related Services (134 degrees awarded), Visual & Performing Arts (240 degrees), and Interdisciplinary Studies (136 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Rhode Island School of Design are Software developers (519,672 people), Other managers (224,835 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (179,692 people), Computer occupations, all other (129,632 people), and Computer & information systems managers (122,103 people).

The most specialized majors at Rhode Island School of Design in 2021 are Architecture and Related Services (134 degrees awarded), Visual & Performing Arts (240 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (136 degrees), Precision Production (24 degrees), and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (77 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Rhode Island School of Design are Surgeons, Physicians, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Rhode Island School of Design are Architecture and Related Services (134 degrees awarded), Visual & Performing Arts (240 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (136 degrees), Precision Production (24 degrees), and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (77 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Rhode Island School of Design are Computer Systems Design (619,271 people), Elementary & secondary schools (394,741 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (258,048 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (210,819 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (202,813 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Rhode Island School of Design.

Most Common (2021)

Illustration
73 degrees awarded
Systems Science & Theory
68 degrees awarded
Computer Graphics
66 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Rhode Island School of Design was Illustration with 73 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Rhode Island School of Design according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

204

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

445

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 204 degrees were awarded to men at Rhode Island School of Design, which is 0.458 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (445).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Rhode Island School of Design by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 38 degrees were awarded to men at Rhode Island School of Design in Systems Science & Theory, which is 0.731 times less than the 52 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 68 degrees were awarded to men at Rhode Island School of Design in Architectural & Building Sciences & Technology, which is 1.89 times more than the 36 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

72%

100% Completion Time

89%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 72% of students graduating from Rhode Island School of Design completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 89% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 90% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Special Focus Institutions Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Black or African American Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Rhode Island School of Design is Female and Black or African American (100% graduation rate). Across all Special Focus Institutions, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 5.51% of graduates (22 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
186 degrees awarded
Asian
77 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
45 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Rhode Island School of Design is white (186 degrees awarded). There were 2.42 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (77 degrees).

3.39% of degree recipients (22 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
109 degrees awarded
White Male
77 degrees awarded
Asian Female
54 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Rhode Island School of Design is white female (109 degrees awarded). There were 1.42 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (77 degrees).

Operations

Rhode Island School of Design has an endowment valued at nearly $443M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 100M (22.6%) compared to the 4.56% average return (574k on 12.6M) across all Special Focus Institutions.

In 2021, Rhode Island School of Design had a total salary expenditure of 153M. Rhode Island School of Design employs 69 Professors, 68 Assistant professors and 63 Associate professors. Most academics at Rhode Island School of Design are Female Assistant professor (42), Male Associate professor (37), and Male Professor (35).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Rhode Island School of Design are: Service, with 146 employees, Management, with 138 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 99 employees.

Endowment

$443M

2021 Endowment

26.9%

growth from 2020

Rhode Island School of Design has an endowment valued at about $443M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Rhode Island School of Design grew 26.9% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $430M higher than than the median endowment of Special Focus Institutions according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Rhode Island School of Design (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$73M

2021 Salaries

9.88%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Rhode Island School of Design paid a median of $73M in salaries, which represents 47.6% of their overall expenditure ($153M) and a 9.88% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Special Focus Institutions is 3.06M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$18.9M

Instructional Salaries

200

Number of Employees

In 2021, Rhode Island School of Design paid a total of $18.9M to 200 employees working as instructors, which represents 25.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $871k (28.4%) for similar Special Focus Institutions.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

69 Employees

Service

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

146 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Rhode Island School of Design were Professor with 69 employees, Assistant professor with 68 employees, and Associate professor with 63 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Rhode Island School of Design were Service with 146 employees, Management with 138 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 99 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Female Assistant professor
Male Associate professor
Male Professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Rhode Island School of Design was Female Assistant professor with 42 employees, Male Associate professor with 37 employees, and Male Professor with 35 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Rhode Island School of Design.