Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$43,982
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$33,238
$30k - $48k
$36,964
$48k - $75k
$36,695
$75k - $110k
$47,551
$110k+
$56,260
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$59,760
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$59,760
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$15,850
Books and Supplies
$2,700
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
65%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
15%
Average Aid Per Year
$37,480
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
15%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,345
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$34,950
Students receiving state aid
0%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$7,752
Students receiving federal aid
13%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,345
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$53,822
$30k - $48k
$54,262
$48k - $75k
$42,173
$75k - $110k
$34,844
$110k+
$12,748
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$25,379,338

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
34%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,148
Students receiving federal loans
34%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,375
Average Other Loans Per Year
$27,407
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,596
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258

What Students Are Saying

It's definitely worth it to come to RISD if you know you want to proceed through your future through art and design. However, RISD can get quite expensive. It is a private school and tuition is pretty high up there in numbers. Each year, expect to pay a little over 40k. Also, art supplies can get somewhat pricey. I would definitely recommend this school if you know you can afford it. There are always ways to get the money - scholarships, grants, loans, etc. So if you're set on coming here, do your best to save money and work your butt off. Don't waste your parents' money by coming and slacking off. RISD is competitive and it is an honor to learn from the best.
Catherine
very expensive, financial aid is not generous and complicated to get. while i advise you take what you can get from this school, look elsewhere for the aid you need.

housing is also very expensive, but it's more expensive to live off campus.

still, if it's really for you, i think it's worth the cost.

as i mentioned above, the cost of art supplies adds up. bring whatever you can from home. buy from second life, a store on campus that sells secondhand supplies. you only need new paper, you don't need a brand new ruler / paintbrush / drawing board.
van donsel from waltham, ma
For me, it's perfect. I doubt any other art school will prepare you as thoroughly for being a professional artist than this place does, and the doors RISD opens up are worth the money on their own.
Clara from Providence, RI
make the most of your professors.....go to their readings and shows. they have much insight and knowledge to offer.
meri
Again, I know its steep. But its worth it when you are offered more internships and high paying jobs in the end
Julia from Horsham, PA
Like any art school, RISD is on the upper scale cost wise. I feel the education they will give me will be well worth it though.
Anshika from Ellicott City, MD