RISD Housing Costs

$9,830 On-Campus Room Typical Cost

$6,796 On-Campus Meals Typical Cost

$3,000 Books & Supplies Typical Cost

$3,500 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

Living Expenses and How They Compare at RISD?

Room, board, and other expenses can add up to a significant amount. How much does this school charge for these necessities at Rhode Island School of Design.

On this page you will find:

Outline of Housing Costs
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Room and Board Expenses at RISD

Housing and meal plans are priced out separately here. The standard student paid $9,830 in 2026, and the cost of a typical dining plan was $6,796. Altogether, a student living on campus at Rhode Island School of Design can expect to spend about $26,798 in 2026 across housing, dining, books and other living expenses.

The following table outlines average expected costs for both on-campus and off-campus housing, meals and other expenses at Rhode Island School of Design.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$20,298	$21,344
— Housing	$9,830
— Meals	$6,796
Other Living Expenses	$3,500	$3,500
Books and Supplies	$3,000	$3,000
Total	$26,798	$27,844

Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses? Projected Four-Year Cost: $114,894

Like tuition, room and board usually rises a little each year. Knowing where it is headed helps you budget for the full degree, not just year one.

Over the course of obtaining your degree, expect on-campus living costs near $114,894 for living costs.

This is how on-campus room and board has tracked over the last few years, plus a forward projection, at Rhode Island School of Design.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$18,290
Two Years Ago	$18,734
One Year Ago	$19,350
Most Recent Year (2026)	$20,298
One Year From Now *	$21,040
Two Years From Now *	$21,810
Three Years From Now *	$22,608
Four Years From Now *	$23,436

* estimated

Most recently, on-campus costs increased an average of 3.7% annually. Carrying that rate forward one year puts on-campus living costs near $27,540 for room, board and essentials in year one.

At this pace, a senior would spend approximately $29,936 for a four-year (bachelor’s) degree, and about $28,310 by the end of a two-year program.

Over a four-year stay, the projected room, board and living-cost total is about $114,894 for four years, or about $55,850 for a two-year (associate) degree.

Do Not Ignore Yearly Increases

Room and board tends to rise year over year at most schools, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.

Answers to Questions About Living and Dining at RISD

Dining plans vary from school to school. Here, plans are structured around a set number of meals per week — see the maximum plan in the table below. Review the table below for the on-campus housing details this school reports.