About Ringling College of Art and Design
The financial picture requires serious consideration. Students pay an average net price of $55,390 annually, with total costs reaching $76,030 including room and board. Graduates earn a median of $43,325 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $27,000. Monthly loan payments average $286. Only 21% of students receive financial aid, making this primarily a full-pay institution. The investment may pay off for those landing jobs at major studios, but the high costs demand careful planning.
Women make up 74% of the student body, creating a female-dominated environment. The 84% retention rate suggests students generally find what they're looking for here. An 88% employment rate indicates strong job placement, though the specialized nature means career paths tend to cluster in creative industries.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 61.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 73.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 70.8%
- Retention Rate
- 84.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $43,325
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $48,725 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $26,121 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Bachelor | $20,140 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $19,592 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $14,627 |
Campus Life
Women make up 74% of the student body, creating a collaborative atmosphere in studios that stay open late into the night. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your work personally and push your creative boundaries. Weekends blend social time with portfolio building, as students often work on passion projects in state-of-the-art animation labs and digital studios. The semester system allows deep dives into intensive creative work. With 69% of students coming from out of state, dorms buzz with diverse artistic perspectives. Campus traditions center around student film screenings and art exhibitions that showcase the talent that has produced Disney animators and Academy Award-winning directors.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 1,280 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1931
Campus Safety (2023)
3 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 52°–72°F
- July Avg
- 75°–91°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 25.8%
- Women
- 74.2%
- White
- 44.3%
- Black
- 3.0%
- Hispanic
- 15.1%
- Asian
- 9.5%
- In-State Students
- 30.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 21.1%
Location
- Address
- Sarasota, Florida 34234-5895
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $43,325
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,698
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Ringling College of Art and Design?
Ringling College of Art and Design accepts 64.70% of applicants. This selective art school attracts students passionate about animation and digital arts. The college maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio to provide intensive creative mentorship.
How much does Ringling College of Art and Design cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Ringling is $55,390, with total attendance costs reaching $76,030. Only 21.11% of students receive financial aid, making this one of the more expensive art schools. Graduates typically leave with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286.
What are the strongest programs at Ringling College of Art and Design?
Ringling is well-known for animation and digital arts, producing Disney animators like Glen Keane and directors like Chris Buck who created Frozen. The college enrolls 1,719 students focused on visual storytelling and design. Alumni consistently land jobs at major animation studios and entertainment companies.
What are the career outcomes for Ringling College of Art and Design graduates?
Graduates earn a median of $43,325 ten years after graduation, with an 88.4% employment rate. The college maintains a 70.80% six-year graduation rate despite the demanding creative curriculum. Alumni often work at strong studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks Animation.
Where is Ringling College of Art and Design located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in Sarasota, Florida, a cultural center known for its arts scene and year-round sunshine. With housing capacity for 1,280 students and an 84.34% retention rate, most students stay engaged with campus life. The small city setting provides internship opportunities at local galleries and design firms.
Is Ringling College of Art and Design diverse in terms of student demographics?
Women make up 74.17% of the student body, reflecting the gender distribution common in art schools. The college draws 69.21% of students from out-of-state, creating a national student community. White students represent 44.27% of enrollment, with Hispanic students at 15.07% and Asian students at 9.48%.
