Rhode Island School of Design

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Rhode Island School of Design was $58,690 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4%–from $56,435 the prior year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until after graduation.

Rhode Island School of Design meets 65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Rhode Island School of Design full-time are awarded $40,502 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $33,027 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does Rhode Island School of Design Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Rhode Island School of Design is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Rhode Island as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Rhode Island residents.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Rhode Island colleges

Is Rhode Island School of Design's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Rhode Island School of Design is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

---

Rhode Island School of Design Living Expenses, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Rhode Island School of Design.

Room and Board Costs at Rhode Island School of Design

Housing and campus dining at Rhode Island School of Design costs $15,850 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Rhode Island School of Design's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Rhode Island School of Design?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources so that those with financial need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Rhode Island School of Design

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area can be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Rhode Island School of Design campus is in a city in Rhode Island, near Boston and MA.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

---

Financial Breakdown for Rhode Island School of Design

---

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Rhode Island School of Design.

How Much Does Rhode Island School of Design Cost?

What will the cost of attending Rhode Island School of Design be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$58,690
Room and Board	$15,850
Other expenses	$2,500

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$78,110
Off-Campus	$62,260

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Rhode Island School of Design Financial Aid

---

In 2023, 698 of the 2,108 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Rhode Island School of Design meets 65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $40,502 a year. Around 39% of Rhode Island School of Design undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Rhode Island School of Design graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $33,027 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$23,615
Private Loans	$74,835

Most Common Loans for Rhode Island School of Design Students
Federal Loans	38%
Private loans	5%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Rhode Island School of Design financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Rhode Island School of Design

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Rhode Island School of Design awarded 645 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $25.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school.

Rhode Island School of Design Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Rhode Island School of Design students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Rhode Island School of Design was $40,502 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Rhode Island School of Design seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$37,608
Off-Campus	$21,758

What will attending Rhode Island School of Design really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Rhode Island School of Design's net cost calculator on their website.

Rhode Island School of Design Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Rhode Island School of Design does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Rhode Island School of Design Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Rhode Island School of Design's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Rhode Island School of Design's endowment, check with the school directly.

---

Learn More About Rhode Island School of Design

---

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about Rhode Island School of Design in the College Confidential forums