[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is RISD to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. RISD's acceptance rate is 18.66% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 6,692 students applied and 1,249 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is low, making it difficult to get into RISD.
To apply to RISD, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, RISD's acceptance rate is 18.66% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 41.47%. 1,406 men and 5,279 women applied to RISD and 287 men and 962 women students were accepted.
Among them, 134 men and 384 women were enrolled in RISD. You can explore the RISD's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 80 students (15% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 17 students (3% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at RISD.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,480, including 720 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 760 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 750 and the 25th percentile is 688. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 780 and the 25th percentile is 708.
The median ACT composite score is 32, with a 75th percentile score of 34 and a 25th percentile score of 31 at RISD. The median ACT Math score is 30 and the median ACT English score is 35.
How competitive is RISD's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Rhode Island School of Design are competitive and high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,173, ACT: 25 - private (not-for-profit) master's college and university with larger programs).
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Recommendations, Formal Demonstration of Competencies, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at RISD. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Rhode Island School of Design.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to RISD:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: https://www.risd.edu/admissions
- Online Application: https://www.risd.edu/admissions/
- Calendar System: Four-one-four plan
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: Bachelor, Master
RISD Admission Frequently Asked Questions
RISD is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 18.66%.
RISD recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to RISD is 1,480, and the average ACT score is 32. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, RISD requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, RISD requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
RISD does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, RISD requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, RISD requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for RISD is 3726 and 4-digit ACT code is 3812.