Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives
Private Nonprofit4-year

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, Rhode Island Β· City: MidsizeOfficial Website β†—

#96
Nationally
#2
In Rhode Island
14%
Acceptance Rate
Nat'l avg 70%
$58,690
Annual Tuition
per year
88%
6-Year Grad Rate
Nat'l avg 63%
2,092
Undergrad Enrollment
1,000–4,999
Overall Score & Rankings
67/100
Good
#96 nationally
#2 in Rhode Island
πŸŽ“Graduation Outcomes88
πŸ’°Affordability53
🎯Selectivity83
πŸ“šAcademic Environment30
πŸ”¬Program Breadth62

Scores based on IPEDS 2023–24 federal data. Methodology β†’

Rhode Island School of Design is a private nonprofit four-year university located in Providence, Rhode Island. With 2,092 undergraduate students enrolled and an acceptance rate of 14%, the institution is considered highly selective. Annual tuition is $58,690, significantly above average for private colleges. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay an average net price of $23,458 after grants and scholarships β€” reflecting aid availability at the institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%, which is excellent compared to the national average of 63%.

Admissions
Acceptance Rate14%↑ Above avg
National avg: 70%
7,126
Applied
984
Admitted
504
Enrolled
SAT Score Range (Middle 50%)
SAT Reading680 – 760
Middle 50% of admitted students (max 800)
SAT Math690 – 780
Middle 50% of admitted students (max 800)
ACT Score Range (Middle 50%)30 – 33
Cost & Financial Aid
Annual Tuition$58,690/yr
Room & Board$18,550/yr
Total Cost of Attendance$78,310/yr
Tuition vs National Avg$58,690↓ Below avg
National avg: $38,768
Net Price After Aid by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants & scholarships, by family income

$0 – $30,000$23,458
$30,001 – $48,000$23,018
$48,001 – $75,000$35,107
$75,001 – $110,000$42,436
Over $110,000$64,532
Graduation Outcomes
6-Year Graduation Rate88%↑ Above avg
National avg: 63%

The six-year graduation rate measures students who earn their degree within 150% of normal time (6 years for a 4-year program). It is the federal standard for comparing outcomes across institutions.

Student Body
2,092
Total Undergrads
69% F / 31% M
Gender Split
Student Diversity
White 22%
Hispanic 9%
Black 5%
Asian 25%
Two or more 5%
International 34%
Native / Other 0%
Strengths & Considerations
Strengths
  • βœ“Strong 6-year graduation rate of 88%, above the national average of 63%
  • βœ“Highly selective admissions (14% acceptance rate) β€” a signal of institutional prestige
  • βœ“Strong academic profile: SAT Math 25th percentile is 690
  • βœ“Competitive academic environment: ACT 25th percentile is 30
Consider
  • Β·Tuition ($58,690/yr) is above average β€” factor in aid eligibility
  • Β·Net price for families earning under $30K is $23,458/yr β€” explore all aid options before applying
  • Β·Room and board costs ($18,550/yr) add significantly to the total cost of attendance
Who Is This College Best For?

This college is a strong fit for academically high-achieving students looking for a competitive environment, students who prioritize colleges with a strong record of graduate completion, and students who prefer smaller class sizes and closer faculty relationships.

Institution Profile
Type4-year
ControlPrivate Nonprofit
LocationProvidence, Rhode Island
SettingCity: Midsize
Size1,000–4,999
Affordability Spotlight
$23,458
avg net price/yr for families earning under $30K

Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships β€” not the sticker price. File the FAFSA every year to maximize your aid package.

State Ranking
#2
in Rhode Island out of 7+ colleges
#96
nationally
Data Source

All data sourced from the NCES IPEDS 2023–24 collection. Acceptance rates, test scores, and graduation rates reflect the most recent year reported. Scores are composite rankings calculated from five weighted dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data notice: All figures are sourced from IPEDS 2023–24 federal data. Tuition, acceptance rates, and enrollment figures change annually. Always verify current information directly with the institution. Net price figures are averages and individual aid packages will vary. Composite scores and rankings are calculated by SchoolRankings.org and are not affiliated with U.S. News, Forbes, or any government agency.