RISD's tuition & fees has increased from $45,840 (2015) to $62,688 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 36.75% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $45,840 (year 2015) to $62,688 (year 2025).
RISD's tuition increase rate is higher than the Rhode Island's average increase rate of 32.30%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 33.02% from 2015 ($64,640).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, RISD's COA is $85,986, which is increased by 5.10% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to RISD's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 36.75% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $61,564. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Rhode Island School of Design over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $3,000, and it has increased 11.11% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $2,700 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $2,700 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $3,000 | 11.11% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 24.74% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 23.25% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Rhode Island School of Design.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $16,100 | $16,100 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $16,350 | $16,350 | 1.55% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $16,550 | $16,550 | 1.22% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $16,900 | $16,900 | 2.11% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $17,220 | $17,220 | 1.89% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $17,930 | $17,930 | 4.12% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $18,290 | $18,290 | 2.01% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $18,734 | $18,734 | 2.43% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $19,350 | $19,350 | 3.29% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $20,298 | $21,344 | 4.90% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Rhode Island School of Design and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Rhode Island School of Design | $62,688 | $59,760 | 4.90% |
|---|
|
| Brown University | $71,312 | $68,230 | 4.52% |
|---|
|
| Providence College | $63,550 | $60,848 | 4.44% |
|---|
|
| Roger Williams University | $45,197 | $42,666 | 5.93% |
|---|
|
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | $41,982 | $39,992 | 4.98% |
|---|
|
| Bryant University | $52,677 | $51,169 | 2.95% |
|---|
|