Organizer Information
Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit, four-year accredited college in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 1931. The College specializes in art and design education and offers undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree programs across creative disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Ringling College of Art and Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA, BA
- Academic Fields: Animation, Film, Fine Arts, Design, Illustration, Game Art, Creative Writing, Business of Art and Design, Creative Technologies, Virtual Reality, Visual Studies
- Relevant Programs: 2D Character Animation; 3D Character Animation; Business of Art and Design; Creative Technologies; Creative Writing; Entertainment Design; Film; Fine Arts; Game Art; Graphic Design; Illustration; Motion Design; Virtual Reality Development; Visual Studies. Photography and Imaging is listed in the academic catalog but is no longer accepting new students.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Opens 1 August; rolling admission for most majors
- Application Deadline: Program-specific for 2D and 3D Character Animation; rolling for all other majors
- Start of Studies: Fall semester
- Application Fee: $70
- Tuition: $55,760 for first-year students in 2026–2027
- Funding: Merit scholarships and need-based grants are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Ringling College's current undergraduate offerings cover animation and film, art and design, creative business, creative writing, fine arts, game art, graphic design, illustration, motion design, virtual reality, and visual studies. Applicants select a major as part of the admission process.
- Portfolio requirements are major-specific. All majors require a visual or written portfolio, but the permitted format varies. For example, Film applicants may submit a visual art portfolio, writing samples, or both; Creative Writing applicants submit a written portfolio; and Visual Studies applicants may fulfill the requirement with visual art or writing samples.
General Eligibility
- First-year applicants submit a high-school transcript or GED and must have a minimum 2.0 combined academic GPA from previously attended institutions and remain in good academic standing at their last institution. Transfer applicants must provide transcripts from institutions attended and meet the College's transfer requirements.
- Ringling College accepts international applicants. International applicants follow the same application and portfolio requirements as domestic applicants, with additional English-language and immigration requirements.
Educational Background
- -year applicants must provide an official high school transcript; GED certificates are also accepted. Applicants who have taken college courses must also submit those college transcripts.
- Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts from each college attended. Applicants with fewer than 24 semester hours of college credit must also provide a high school transcript. Transfer admission and advanced standing are subject to portfolio review and space availability.
Language Requirements
International applicants whose country does not use English as the common language must demonstrate English proficiency.
- TOEFL: Minimum 61 iBT
- IELTS: Minimum 6.0
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum 90
Students with scores below the College's higher thresholds may be required to take ESOL coursework. International students also complete speaking and listening assessments and submit a written essay. Certain students may qualify for an English-testing or ESOL waiver, including those whose first language is English or who earned a final degree at an accredited institution where English was the official language of instruction.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee | Fee Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year | $70 | Available with required school-counselor documentation |
| Transfer | $70 | Not accepted for transfer applicants |
The application fee is nonrefundable. Transfer applicants must pay the $70 fee even if they select the fee-waiver option in Common App.
Tuition
| Study Level / Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Year, 2026–2027 | $55,760 | $27,880 per semester for full-time enrollment | $5,710 in listed first-year fees; materials kit varies by major |
| Part-time undergraduate | $2,600 per credit | Per credit | Additional applicable fees |
The 2026–2027 first-year fee schedule also lists major-specific first-year materials kits: $100 for Business of Art and Design; $320 for Entertainment Design and for 2D Character Animation, 3D Character Animation, Game Art and Illustration; $285 for Fine Arts; $145 for Creative Technologies and Graphic Design; $375 for Motion Design; and $365 for Virtual Reality.
Degree-seeking students are required to maintain comprehensive health insurance. The tuition page lists a $2,180 Student Health Insurance Plan premium for 2026–2027.
Funding & Financial Support
- Ringling College offers merit scholarships and need-based grants. Accepted students are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships, with awards based on factors including academic achievement and portfolio performance. The College also offers named awards including the Presidential Scholarship, Creative Excellence Scholarship, Deans' Scholarship, Faculty Scholarship, Ringling College Scholarship, and Pathway Scholarship.
- The College's published scholarship information does not establish international eligibility for each award. International students should therefore verify eligibility for individual funding programs with Ringling College.
University Services & Academic Support
Ringling College provides academic advising, the Student Learning Center, Student Access Services, International Affairs, health and counseling services, and career support. The Center for Career Services provides career resources and faculty career advising, while admissions counselors offer portfolio reviews for applicants.
Application Requirements
For first-year applicants, required materials include:
- Common Application
- $70 application fee or eligible fee waiver
- Official high school transcript or GED
- Visual or written portfolio
- Common App essay of 250–650 words
Portfolio requirements vary by major. Film applicants may submit visual work or writing samples; Creative Writing applicants submit original written work plus a short written statement; and Visual Studies applicants may use visual work or writing samples. Several art-related majors specify observational drawing or other major-specific portfolio content.
International applicants must also satisfy the applicable English-proficiency and visa documentation requirements. International transfer applicants requesting transfer credit must obtain a course-by-course credential evaluation through WES or Joseph Silny & Associates.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision Deadline — 2D Character Animation: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision Deadline — 3D Character Animation: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Deadline — 2D Character Animation: 1 December 2026
- Early Action Deadline — 3D Character Animation: 1 December 2026
- Regular Decision Deadline — 2D Character Animation: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline — 3D Character Animation: 1 May 2027
- Regular Admission — All Other Majors: Rolling through the start of the Fall semester
- Presidential Scholarship Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Priority FAFSA Filing Deadline: 1 March 2027
Location
Ringling College of Art and Design — Sarasota, United States
Additional Details
Photography and Imaging remains listed in the academic catalog but the current program page states that it is not enrolling new students; prospective students are directed toward the multimedia Fine Arts program and its Photography and Media concentration.
The 2026–2027 tuition webpage lists health insurance at $2,180, while the separate 2026–2027 Schedule of Fees lists $2,181. This minor official discrepancy should be confirmed with the College before payment.