Organizer Information
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a nonprofit college and museum founded in 1877 in Providence, Rhode Island. The institution offers full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across art, design, architecture and related fields, with undergraduate and graduate education supported by studio-based learning and liberal arts study.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA, BArch, MA, MFA, MArch, MID, MDes, MLA, MAT, Post-B; joint degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Film, Animation, Photography, Design, Architecture, Media, Art History, Art & Design Education, Liberal Arts
- Relevant Programs: Film/Animation/Video BFA; Photography BFA/MFA; Digital + Media MFA; Graphic Design BFA/MFA; Illustration BFA/MFA; Painting BFA/MFA; Architecture BArch/MArch; Industrial Design BFA/MID; Interior Architecture BFA/MDes; Ceramics, Glass, Furniture Design, Jewelry + Metalsmithing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles and others.
- Language of Instruction: English.
- International Applicants: Yes.
- Application Period: Fall 2027 admission cycle
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 1 November 2026 (Early Decision) / 20 January 2027 (Regular Decision); Graduate: 5 January 2027.
- Application Fee: US$60 + US$10 portfolio submission fee for first-year applicants; US$60 for graduate applicants.
- Tuition: US$66,460 per academic year for 2026–27.
- Funding: Institutional financial aid is available to domestic and international students; selected graduate applicants may receive full-tuition Society of Presidential Fellows support.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- RISD accepts applicants across a broad range of art, design and related disciplines. Undergraduate study begins with a common first-year Experimental and Foundation Studies curriculum before students enter their selected major. Graduate applicants apply to specific degree programs, with requirements varying by program.
- Graduate programs explicitly accommodate applicants from different creative and academic backgrounds in some disciplines. For example, Furniture Design welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, disciplines and creative perspectives, while Jewelry + Metalsmithing accepts applicants from a range of artistic and design backgrounds.
General Eligibility
- For first-year undergraduate admission, applicants submit secondary-school academic credentials. International applicants follow the same undergraduate application requirements as domestic applicants, with additional requirements concerning translated credentials and English proficiency.
- Graduate applicants must have completed, or be completing by entry, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. International applicants whose qualification is a diploma rather than a degree must provide documentation confirming equivalency to a US bachelor's degree.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit one of the accepted English-language tests.
- TOEFL: minimum 93
- IELTS: minimum 7
- Duolingo: minimum 120
RISD may waive the language-test requirement for applicants who completed qualifying education in an institution where English was the language of instruction.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | US$60 + US$10 required SlideRoom portfolio fee |
| Graduate | US$60 |
Undergraduate applicants meeting qualifying conditions may request an application-fee waiver.
Tuition
| Study Level | Tuition, 2026–27 | Mandatory Institutional Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | US$66,460/year | US$308 activity fee + US$908 academic & technology fee |
| Graduate | US$66,460/year | US$308 activity fee + US$908 academic & technology fee |
RISD also lists annual student health insurance of US$2,657 for 2026–27, with waiver options where applicable. Tuition and fees are subject to institutional change.
Funding & Financial Support
- RISD provides institutional financial aid to international students as well as domestic students. International applicants seeking RISD funding must complete the institutional financial-aid application through the admissions applicant portal.
- For graduate admission in 2026–27, the Society of Presidential Fellows provides full tuition support and professional development opportunities to selected graduate students. Eligible admitted applicants are considered without submitting a separate fellowship application.
University Services & Academic Support
RISD provides students with access to specialized academic and creative resources including the RISD Museum, Fleet Library, student galleries and interdisciplinary facilities. The Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab provides extensive natural-science collections and specialized research equipment for art, design and science projects. International students also receive immigration and international-student support through International Student and Scholar Affairs.
Application Requirements
First-year undergraduate applicants must submit:
- Common Application
- Official secondary-school transcripts
- Common Application personal essay
- One letter of recommendation; up to three may be submitted
- English-language proficiency result where applicable
- Portfolio of 12–20 examples submitted through SlideRoom
- SAT/ACT results are optional.
Graduate applicants must submit:
- RISD application form
- Undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- English-language proficiency result where applicable
- Portfolio of 10–20 visual-work examples for graduate studio programs
- Program-specific materials where required
A CV/resume is optional for graduate applicants. Program-specific requirements can include additional writing samples, statements, video essays or other materials.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal: Common Application
- Graduate Application Portal: RISD Applicant Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision Undergraduate Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision Undergraduate Financial Aid Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Regular Decision Undergraduate Application Deadline: 20 January 2027
- Regular Decision Undergraduate Financial Aid Deadline: 25 January 2027
- Graduate Application Deadline: 5 January 2027
- Graduate Financial Aid Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Undergraduate Early Decision Results: Mid December 2026
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Results: Mid-March 2027
Location
Rhode Island School of Design — Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Additional Details
RISD's admission requirements are substantially program-specific at graduate level. Graduate studio programs require portfolios, but portfolio format and content can differ considerably. For example, Digital + Media accepts combinations of images, video and sound, while Landscape Architecture has specific portfolio and video-essay requirements.
For international students admitted to degree programs, RISD provides immigration support and, for students requiring an F-1 visa, coordinates the I-20 process through its international-student services.