More selective than 89% of Rhode Island colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
16% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 4% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose RISD over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have RISD's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at RISD or have its file? Send it to us.
RISD SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, RISD is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 688 | 750 |
| SAT math | 708 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 31 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1396 | 1530 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
RISD admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 19% | 688–750 | 708–780 | 31–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 14% | 680–760 | 690–780 | 30–33 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is RISD compared with other Rhode Island colleges?
RISD has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 10 Rhode Island colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown University | 5% | 96% | $25,184 |
| 2 | Rhode Island School of Design | 19% | 89% | $50,507 |
| 3 | Providence College | 51% | 86% | $48,523 |
| 4 | Bryant University | 65% | 80% | $41,219 |
| 5 | New England Institute of Technology | 67% | 60% | $36,483 |
| 6 | Salve Regina University | 68% | 77% | $36,967 |
| 7 | University of Rhode Island | 72% | 73% | $21,440 |
| 8 | Roger Williams University | 88% | 69% | $37,999 |
| 9 | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | 88% | 55% | $31,027 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Rhode Island colleges →
Who enrolls at RISD
College Scorecard; IPEDS
RISD admissions questions
What is the RISD acceptance rate?
Rhode Island School of Design accepts 19% of applicants, about 1 in 5. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 984 of 7,126 applicants were admitted.
Does RISD require the SAT or ACT?
Rhode Island School of Design considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 16% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for RISD?
The middle 50% of Rhode Island School of Design enrolled first-year students scored 1396–1530 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at RISD?
51% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (504 of 984).
Is RISD getting harder to get into?
Rhode Island School of Design accepted 19% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 14% for Fall 2023.
Is RISD the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Rhode Island School of Design overview