Design and Applied Arts at Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design graduates face a difficult first year, earning just $29,489—below both national and state medians for design programs. But here's what matters: by year four, earnings nearly double to $55,647, placing RISD substantially above typical design outcomes. In Rhode Island's small pool of design programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, though it lags behind roughly two-thirds of programs nationally.

The $27,000 debt load is actually lower than most design schools nationally (25th percentile), making the first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.92 manageable if graduates can weather that lean initial period. This pattern reflects design's apprenticeship-like career arc, where entry-level positions pay poorly but experience commands real premiums. RISD's elite reputation (14% admission rate) appears to translate into career momentum that many design programs don't deliver.

The key question is whether your family can support a year or two of near-poverty wages while your child builds their portfolio and network. If you can, the trajectory looks solid—not spectacular, but reasonable for a creative field. If immediate earnings are critical for loan repayment or living expenses, the rocky start could create real financial stress despite the eventual growth.