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Aalto and RISD do not just differ in country and price. They select students with different instruments. RISD reads a 12–20 piece portfolio you build over years. Aalto’s English-taught Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Media asks for no portfolio at all: applicants complete preliminary assignments, then intake assignments, then a Zoom interview with a timed task.
That changes how a Korean student should prepare. Tuition also differs sharply: Aalto charges non-EU students €15,000 a year for a three-year bachelor’s; RISD’s 2026–27 tuition is $66,460 for each of four years.
Families usually compare these two schools on reputation and cost. Both matter, but the more practical difference comes earlier: what each school actually asks you to submit. A student who is well prepared for one can be poorly prepared for the other. This guide compares the two admission systems, the degree structures and the real costs, using each school’s current published information.
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Two Different Ways of Choosing Students
| Step | Aalto — Design and Media (2027 intake) | RISD — first-year BFA |
|---|---|---|
| What you submit first | Preliminary assignments (pass/fail), due 29 January 2027 | Common App, essay, transcripts, recommendation and a 12–20 piece portfolio via SlideRoom |
| Portfolio | Not part of the admission criteria | Central to the decision; drawing from direct observation strongly recommended |
| Second stage | Intake assignments sent 17 March, due 31 March 2027 (scored) | None — the file is reviewed as submitted |
| Interview | Zoom interview 3–7 May 2027, including a timed task (scored) | Not part of the standard process |
| Selectivity | 43 places in 2027 | Overall acceptance rate 18.66% (fall 2024, IPEDS) |
Aalto figures from the programme admission page for 2027; RISD from its admissions pages and U.S. Department of Education IPEDS data.
The Aalto process rewards a student who can respond to a new brief quickly and explain their thinking out loud. Aalto says the interview task looks at skills such as three-dimensional visualisation and manual drawing. RISD’s process rewards a student who has already built a body of work and can show sustained, observed drawing. Both are demanding; they are not demanding in the same way.
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What This Means for Preparation
- For RISD, build the work in advance. The portfolio is finished before the deadline, so the months before matter most. See our guide to how hard RISD is.
- For Aalto, practise responding to briefs. Assignments arrive on fixed dates with short deadlines and must be done independently and without guidance, as Aalto states.
- Practise speaking about your process in English. The scored interview is conducted in English over Zoom.
- Keep drawing from observation. It serves both schools: RISD asks for it in the portfolio, and Aalto’s interview task tests manual drawing.
- Check the calendar. Aalto’s application window is 7–22 January 2027, close to many U.S. regular decision deadlines.
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Degree Structure: 3 + 2 Against 4
| Item | Aalto | RISD |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s length | 3 years (Bachelor of Arts) | 4 years (BFA) |
| Path | Programme leads on to a Master of Arts (listed as 3 + 2 years) | Separate graduate application |
| First year | Studies within the Design and Media programme from the start | Experimental and Foundation Studies; major declared in spring |
| Language | English | English |
From the Aalto programme page and RISD academic pages, 2026.
The structures suit different students. RISD’s foundation year gives time to choose a major after a year of shared studios; we explain this in RISD acceptance rates by department. Aalto’s three-year bachelor’s is shorter, and its programme is designed to continue into a master’s, which matters in European design careers.
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Cost and Aid
| Item | Aalto (non-EU) | RISD |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per year | €15,000 (art and architecture fields) | $66,460 (2026–27) |
| Tuition for the bachelor’s degree | €45,000 over 3 years at the current rate | $265,840 over 4 years at the current rate |
| Living costs | At least €800 a month (Aalto estimate) | Total cost of attendance $93,776 a year before health insurance |
| Merit aid for international students | Excellence Scholarship: full tuition waiver for 3 years, competitive | Institutional aid is need-based; the merit-style award is for domestic students only |
| Other reductions | 25% off first-year tuition for binding early acceptance and payment within 21 days | None published for international students |
Aalto Scholarships and Tuition Fees page; RISD tuition and financial aid pages. Fees may rise in later years.
Even at full price, Aalto’s bachelor’s tuition is a fraction of RISD’s. But tuition is not the whole picture: a degree outside the U.S. leads to a different job market, a different visa system and a different alumni network. Finland offers an extended residence permit for graduates looking for work; check the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) for current terms.
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Royal Blue Data on RISD Aid
| School | Acceptances | Awards | Award rate | Average award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RISD | 68 | 4 | 6% | Not reported (n=4) |
Royal Blue results record, 2009–2026 (1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students). We do not show an average for four awards.
Our records match RISD’s published policy: few of our RISD admits received institutional awards. For a family weighing Aalto against RISD, the realistic RISD budget is close to the full published cost. For more on four-year costs, see the cost of RISD over four years.
WHO TENDS TO FIT WHERE
RISD suits a student who has already built a strong body of observed work, wants a four-year BFA with a foundation year, and plans for a U.S. career — and whose family can plan for the full cost.
Aalto suits a student who works well under short deadlines, can explain ideas in English, is drawn to Aalto’s mix of art, design, technology and business, and is open to building a career in Europe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aalto require a portfolio for its English-taught design bachelor’s?
No. The Design and Media programme admits students through preliminary assignments, intake assignments and an interview. The admission page does not list a portfolio.
What English score does Aalto require?
IELTS Academic 6.5, PTE Academic 68, or TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (92 for earlier tests), among other options. Results must arrive by 29 January 2027.
Can international students get a scholarship at Aalto?
Yes. The Aalto University Excellence Scholarship waives the full tuition fee for the three-year bachelor’s. It is competitive, programmes may award none, and you must apply during the application period.
Is RISD harder to get into than Aalto?
They cannot be compared with one percentage. RISD’s overall rate was 18.66% for fall 2024. Aalto’s 2027 design and media intake is 43 places, and its English-taught bachelor’s programmes are widely applied for.
Can I apply to both?
Yes. The application windows overlap with U.S. deadlines, so plan both portfolio work for RISD and time for Aalto’s assignments in January and March.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for art and design schools in the U.S., Europe and beyond from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students. We can plan a RISD portfolio and Aalto assignment practice in one schedule. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Aalto details from the Bachelor’s Programme in Design and Media admission page (2027 intake) and the Scholarships and Tuition Fees page; RISD details from RISD admissions, academic and financial aid pages and IPEDS (fall 2024), verified October 2026. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: TU Delft vs RISD · Eindhoven vs RISD · RISD by Department · How Hard Is RISD? · Foundation Year · Royal Blue Results