by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a RISD degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how RISD measures up.
Among the majors RISD offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Furniture Design & Manufacturing | #1 of 1 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #1 of 1 |
| Woodworking | #1 of 1 |
| Precision Production | #1 of 1 |
| Systems Science & Theory | #10 of 10 |
| Systems Theory | #10 of 10 |
| Fiber, Textile & Weaving Arts | #13 of 13 |
| Metal & Jewelry Arts | #14 of 14 |
| Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts | #21 of 23 |
| Ceramic Arts & Ceramics | #27 of 27 |
Unfortunately, College Factual was unable to determine the value ranking of RISD due to a lack of data.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at RISD costs about $70,480. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $281,920 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $81,715 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $50,507 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $70,480 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $281,920 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the RISD net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What RISD costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at RISD shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $33,653 |
| $30K–$48K | $31,023 |
| $48K–$75K | $36,834 |
| $75K–$110K | $46,882 |
| Over $110K | $60,428 |
About 36% of RISD undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $35,676 per year. Get more details on the RISD financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing a school’s average total cost to other schools of a similar quality. Unfortunately we did not have enough data to determine the value of RISD. See the net price page for more information.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.