Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rhode Island School of Design at a Glance
The Rhode Island School of Design is a private art school in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The school was founded as a coeducational institution in 1877 by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, who sought to increase the accessibility of design education to women.
1877
149 years old
$466M
$465.5 million (2025)
2,517
2,084 undergrad · 433 grad
181
13 acres
Identity
Is Rhode Island School of Design Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Rhode Island School of Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $68,140 — 27% above average — while paying $50,507/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
With a 89% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 19% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Rhode Island School of Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rhode Island School of Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 30 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | 100 | $13,269 | $83,847 |
| #2 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #3 | Grinnell College | 78 | $17,648 | $62,830 |
| #4 | Amherst College | 78 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| #5 | Wellesley College | 76 | $25,496 | $84,803 |
| #6 | Haverford College | 71 | $25,314 | $79,966 |
| #27 | Rhode Island School of Design | 30 | $50,507 | $68,140 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Rhode Island School of Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Rhode Island School of Design
The highest-earning program at Rhode Island School of Design is Design and Applied Arts at $30,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $16,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Rhode Island School of Design earns $30,200, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $16,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $26,500 in median debt vs. $26,750 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $50,507/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,400 | $20,400 | $25,043 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $16,000 | $16,000 | $26,750 |
Similar Colleges in RI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Providence, RI
- Student Body
- 2,084 students
- Admission Rate
- 19%
- Graduation Rate
- 89%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $50,507
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,140
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000