The average acceptance rate at RISD over the past 10 years is 24.89%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 18.66%. Compared to the previous year, it became easier to gain admission to RISD in 2025. RISD is highly selective, and gaining admission is challenging for most applicants.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 48.08%, and the 2025 yield is 41.47%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 19.38% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of RISD applicants decreased by 6.09% (434 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 175.96% overall.
Key Takeaways: RISD Admission Metrics
Acceptance Rate Overview
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 18.66%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that RISD has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 41.47%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at RISD. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
Application Volume & Admission Trends
For the 2025 admission cycle, RISD received approximately 6,692 applications, admitted 1,249 students, and enrolled 518 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that RISD is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Acceptance Rate Changes
RISD 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at RISD over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 24.89%, while the most recent rate stands at 18.66%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 18.66%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 32.64% and for women is 22.04%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at RISD have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes
RISD has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 51.44% in 2015 to 41.47% in 2025, representing a 19.38% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 48.08%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at RISD from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 19.38% over this period.
Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 4,404, the average number of admitted is 998, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 475.
The number of RISD applicants decreased by 6.09% (434 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 175.96% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Rhode Island School of Design from 2015 to 2025.
Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares Rhode Island School of Design' acceptance rate to similar schools.