Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 89.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 88.5%
- Retention Rate
- 92.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $68,140
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 86.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $68,219 | |
| Interior Architecture. | Master | $54,035 | |
| Architecture. | Bachelor | $50,439 | |
| Architecture. | Master | $48,198 | |
| Apparel and Textiles. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $36,166 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $35,060 | |
| Woodworking. | Bachelor | $30,228 | $26,558 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $28,055 | $42,005 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $22,627 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $22,192 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
RISD graduates enter careers where creative skills command good salaries, with median earnings of $68,140 ten years out. The typical graduate owes $27,000 in debt with monthly payments of $286, which equals about 5% of their monthly income. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 beats the national average of 0.60 for art school graduates. Many alumni work as freelance artists, designers at major companies like Nike or Apple, or start their own studios. The school's reputation opens doors in competitive creative industries where portfolios matter more than traditional credentials. With 86% of borrowers successfully repaying loans and strong alumni networks in design fields, RISD offers a strong return on investment for serious artists.