Brown Daily Herald · Oct 13, 2026
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI · Private Nonprofit · 2,084 undergraduates
View all rankings (17)
Ranks compare the colleges included in each category. Changes below refer to the last 30 days. How rankings work
College Index#166 / 1,219Top Salaries#381 / 1,208Best Value#1160 / 1,187Most Affordable#1197 / 1,211Academic Excellence#54 / 1,205Best Athletics#885 / 1,219Best Social Life#910 / 1,111Most Diverse#52 / 1,219Most Buzzy#448 / 1,191Safest Campuses#635 / 1,191Best Weather#797 / 1,219Highest Graduation Rates#65 / 1,185Lowest Student Debt#1192 / 1,205Best Retention#59 / 1,202Best for First-Gen Students#912 / 1,165Best Urban Schools#115 / 632Best Private Universities#90 / 646
At a glance — A small private school in Providence, RI.
Admissions & student progress
See the reported academic profile and how students progress through college.
Graduation & retention
Graduation rate88.6%
Graduation rateHigher than ~95%
Median 59.1% · 1,185 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Graduation rate
Middle 50%: 47.4%–70.7%
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
First-year retention95.0%
Retention rateHigher than ~95%
Median 77.9% · 1,202 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Retention rate
Middle 50%: 70.9%–85.2%
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Retention tracks full-time, first-time students returning for a second year. Graduation describes the source’s entering cohort; its completion window is not recorded in this published snapshot.
Reported test-score averages
SAT average 1473
SAT averageHigher than ~94%
Median 1184 · 843 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for SAT average
Middle 50%: 1090–1287
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
ACT midpoint 31
ACT midpointHigher than ~89%
Median 24 · 768 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for ACT midpoint
Middle 50%: 22–28
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Scores describe students who submitted tests. Test-optional policies and reporting coverage can affect comparisons.
Source: College Scorecard institution data. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Cost & Aid
Start with annual costs, then estimate how grants and scholarships could change what your family pays.
Annual tuition & fees
$62,688
Per academic year, before aid
Housing, meals, books, and other living expenses are additional.
Annual net cost after aid
$50,507
Historical average per academic year
Includes tuition and living costs, minus grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving federal aid.
Estimate your family's cost
Your household income, assets, residency, and aid eligibility affect your price. Use the school's calculator for a personal estimate.
Opens this school's federal College Navigator record, which lists its calculator link. You can also visit the school's website.
Median federal debt at graduation
$27,000
Total accumulated debt among graduates who borrowed federal student loans. Excludes private and parent loans.
Students receiving Pell Grants
14.8%
Share of undergraduates receiving this need-based federal grant.
Annual net costLower than ~1%
Median $20k · 1,195 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Annual net cost
Middle 50%: $14,471–$26,504
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Total federal debtLower than ~9%
Median $23k · 1,205 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Total federal debt
Middle 50%: $19,750–$25,439
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Earnings-to-net-price ratio: 1.4×. Compares annual earnings 10 years after enrollment with one year of net cost; it does not measure lifetime return.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Reporting years are unavailable for these imported figures and may differ by measure.
Source retrieved: 2026-07-15 · Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. These dates are separate from the years measured.
Majors & outcomes
Explore fields of study alongside school-wide earnings.
Popular majors
Explore all majors →Select a major to explore other colleges offering it. Shares are of the 411 completions across these 5 listed majors, not all degrees awarded by this college.
- Fine and Studio Arts124 completions · 30.2% of listed
- Design and Applied Arts101 completions · 24.6% of listed
- Systems Science and Theory84 completions · 20.4% of listed
- Architectural Sciences and Technology54 completions · 13.1% of listed
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts48 completions · 11.7% of listed
Gender breakdown by major
Reported male/female shares from IPEDS bachelor's completions, first majors (2023-24). Shares use the reported gender counts, which can differ in coverage or year from the completion totals above.
- Fine and Studio Arts29.0% male · 71.0% female
- Design and Applied Arts24.8% male · 75.2% female
- Systems Science and Theory36.9% male · 63.1% female
- Architectural Sciences and Technology38.9% male · 61.1% female
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts50.0% male · 50.0% female
Completions: IPEDS 2023-24 where available; otherwise College Scorecard program data (reporting year unavailable). This is a selection of popular bachelor's majors, not the full program catalog.
Earnings after enrollment
- 6 years after enrollment
- $45,932
- 10 years after enrollment
- $68,140
Median annual earnings
Median annual earnings
10-year median earningsHigher than ~79%
Median $56k · 1,203 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for 10-year median earnings
Middle 50%: $48,449–$64,997
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
School-wide outcomes for federally aided students who are working and not enrolled at the measurement date, including students who did not graduate. These are not program-specific earnings or starting salaries.
Source: College Scorecard institution data. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Trends over time
See how published rankings and reported outcomes change across available observations.
Ending Aug 30, 2026
Up 3 places, from #169 to #166 (Mar 14, 2026 to Aug 30, 2026).
Rhode Island School of Design
Hover, tap, or focus a point to see the exact date and value.
View data table (10 dates)
| Publication date | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2026 | #169 |
| Jun 29, 2026 | #168 |
| Jul 9, 2026 | #166 |
| Jul 15, 2026 | #166 |
| Jul 26, 2026 | #166 |
| Aug 2, 2026 | #166 |
| Aug 9, 2026 | #166 |
| Aug 16, 2026 | #166 |
| Aug 23, 2026 | #166 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | #166 |
Source: archived College Index editions, dated by publication. Changes in methodology or the colleges included can move a rank. The lines show recorded ranks, not changes in school quality. Sources & methodology
Campus life
Explore the community, surroundings, and activities that shape everyday life.
Student community
2,084 undergraduate students
- Men
- 29.4%
- Women
- 70.6%
10.6% first-generation students in the reported cohort
Race & ethnicity
- White
- 21.2%
- Black
- 4.9%
- Hispanic
- 8.1%
- Asian
- 25.8%
- Other / unclassified
- 1.9%
Source: College Scorecard institution data. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Reported campus safety
53.74 reported incidents per 1,000 students
On-campus reports include offenses, arrests, and disciplinary referrals. Reporting practices affect comparisons.
Incident breakdown & score definition
- Violent offenses / VAWA reports
- 13
- Property offenses
- 51
- Drug, alcohol & weapons reports
- 48
Counts are the pipeline’s rounded annual averages over up to three survey years; specific years are not recorded in this published snapshot. The incident rate divides the combined count by reported undergraduate enrollment.
87.3 / 100
The safety index scales reported incidents per student against other included colleges. Higher scores mean a lower relative reported rate; they do not establish that a campus is safe or predict individual risk.
Source: Campus Safety and Security Survey. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Compare reported safety measuresCampus weather
Cool and partly sunny, moderate snow
- Average temperature
- 44°F
- Sunny days
- 196
- Rainfall
- 49 in
- Snowfall
- 33 in
- Relative humidity
- 66%
September–May
Per year
Per year
Per year
Average
Climate baseline & score
45.9 / 100
The weather score reflects preferences for mild temperatures and sunshine. These climate averages describe long-term conditions, not a current forecast.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals. Measurement period: 1991-2020 normals. Source dates & coverage
Athletics
16.6 / 100
Athletics details & score definition
A published composite of championship history, institutional characteristics, and available athletics and interest measures. It does not measure the experience of an individual athlete or access to a team.
Financial and sports-count details are unavailable from an approved athletics source. Legacy estimates are omitted.
Athletics ranking & methodologyRecent news (5)
Hyperallergic · Jun 15, 2026
Rhode Island Current · Oct 3, 2026
Vogue · May 28, 2026
Monocle · Aug 18, 2026
Source: Google News. Headlines link to external publishers.
Similar Schools
These colleges have the closest mix of available scores across academics, value, outcomes, and campus life. Cost and admission-rate differences below are relative to Rhode Island School of Design.
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA · Private Nonprofit
Closest score matches: athletics (2 points apart) and safety (2 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $35,736
- $14,771 less per year
- Admission rate
- 40.5%
- 21.8 percentage points higher
Emerson College
Boston, MA · Private Nonprofit
Closest score matches: value (less than 1 point apart) and weather (less than 1 point apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $49,180
- $1,327 less per year
- Admission rate
- 51.3%
- 32.6 percentage points higher
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN · Private Nonprofit
Closest score matches: athletics (2 points apart) and earnings (2 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $32,149
- $18,358 less per year
- Admission rate
- 28.5%
- 9.9 percentage points higher
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY · Private Nonprofit
Closest score matches: academics (1 point apart) and social life (2 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $39,343
- $11,164 less per year
- Admission rate
- 18.6%
- Less than 0.1 percentage points lower
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA · Private Nonprofit
Closest score matches: weather (2 points apart) and safety (4 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $31,759
- $18,748 less per year
- Admission rate
- 29.4%
- 10.8 percentage points higher
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private Nonprofit
Closest score matches: athletics (1 point apart) and social life (2 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $41,190
- $9,317 less per year
- Admission rate
- 36.5%
- 17.9 percentage points higher
Net prices are historical averages after grants and scholarships; your offer may differ. Admission rates describe past applicants and do not predict your chances.
Social life
28.6 / 100
A campus-life estimate using institutional characteristics and available interest signals.
What this score measures
Inputs can include student population, admission rate, campus setting, climate, and party or Greek-life search interest. This is a proxy score, not a student satisfaction survey or a count of clubs and activities.
The current source policy excludes legacy simulated search-interest data. Published scores may come from an earlier snapshot; no raw search-interest figures are shown here.
Social life ranking & methodology