Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling College of Art and Design Overview

Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit school in an urban setting in Sarasota, Florida. RCAD was founded in 1931 and the school now enrolls around 1,663 students a year, including 1,663 undergrad students. RCAD ensures housing for up to 1,276 students. Most students live in off campus housing, and 73% of students spend their weekends on campus.

There are many ways for students to get involved at RCAD!

Are you interested in music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of RCAD's theater groups.

RCAD does not have any greek life opportunties.

Planning to play sports? RCAD has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at RCAD on the Student Life page.

2022 RCAD Facts At-A-Glance
Academic Calendar	Semester
Overall Acceptance Rate	69%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	ED not offered
Early Action Acceptance Rate	34%
Average GPA	3.5
Applicants Submitting ACT scores	34%
Tuition	$48,110
Percent of Need Met	56%
Average First-Year Financial Aid Package	$24,431

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Is RCAD a Good School?

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The definition of a "good school" is different for different people. Admissions criteria, acceptance rate and average GPA are good indicators of how selective an institution is.

Let's take a look at these areas to get a clearer view of what RCAD offers and if the school might be the right college for you.

RCAD Acceptance Rate 2022

RCAD is moderately difficult to get into. RCAD admitted 69% of all applicants in 2022. Out of 2,117 applications received in 2022, 1,455 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at RCAD

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. It is a way to measure how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Approximately 83% of first-year, full-time undergrads who start at RCADcome back the next year. Around 80% of students who started at RCAD earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outcomes for RCAD Grads

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school.

Check with RCAD directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

RCAD's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students.

RCAD's endowment was valued at $64 million in 2022, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, RCAD spends about $19,413 a year.

Tuition and Financial Aid at RCAD

Tuition is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

RCAD meets 56% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $24,431 a year.

Students in the class of 2022 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $50,239 of debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so don't give your money (or info!) to any website that claim you do.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at RCAD.

Based on this information, is RCAD the school for you? Remember, a school that is perfect for one person may not be the right school for someone else! So ask yourself: Is RCAD a good school for you?

If Ringling College of Art and Design seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

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Where is Ringling College of Art and Design Located?

RCAD is located in the urban setting of Sarasota, Florida, less than an hour from Tampa-St. Petersburg.

If you want to see RCAD for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 75 to Sarasota, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Sarasota-Bradenton International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what RCAD and Sarasota are like without leaving home.

Considering Going to School in Florida?

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