QUICK ANSWER
RISD publishes alumni counts and names, not an employment rate. Its alumni outcomes page lists about 33,000 alumni in 94 countries, 122 Fulbright students and a long roll of named graduates, from Airbnb co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia to artists such as Do Ho Suh, Kara Walker and Julie Mehretu.
That tells you where RISD graduates can go, not where most go. Read it as a range of possibilities, and look for numbers elsewhere when the question is about typical outcomes.
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What RISD Publishes
| Figure | As listed by RISD |
|---|---|
| Alumni worldwide | 33,000 |
| Countries represented | 94 |
| Regional alumni clubs | 41 |
| Fulbright students | 122 |
| MacArthur Fellows | Listed as 11 in the figures and 12 elsewhere on the same page |
| Forbes “30 Under 30” honorees | 51 |
From RISD’s Alumni Outcomes page, checked October 2026. The page gives no year, cohort or survey details.
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Named Alumni Across Fields
| Field | Examples named by RISD |
|---|---|
| Design and business | Brian Chesky (04 ID) and Joe Gebbia (05 GD/ID) of Airbnb; David Moon Ki Lee (00 GD) of Squarespace; Jessica Walsh (08 GD) |
| Fine art | Do Ho Suh (94 PT); Kara Walker (MFA 94); Julie Mehretu (MFA 97); Jenny Holzer (MFA 77); Nicole Eisenman (87 Painting) |
| Illustration and graphics | Shepard Fairey (92 IL); Julia Rothman (02 IL); Oge Mora (16 Illustration) |
| Architecture and landscape | Deborah Berke (BArch 77); Phoebe Lickwar (MLA 06) |
From RISD’s Alumni Outcomes and Painting department pages, checked October 2026. Class codes as printed by RISD.
Do Ho Suh, a Korean-born artist who completed RISD’s BFA in Painting in 1994, is one of the names RISD lists. Famous alumni show the ceiling, not the median.
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How to Read Alumni Claims
- Separate names from rates. A list of famous graduates says nothing about how a typical graduate fares.
- Check the date and cohort. RISD’s figures have no year attached; ask admissions for the latest graduate outcomes data if you need it.
- Compare with occupation data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics put the 2025 median for graphic designers at $62,960, which is a better guide to typical pay than a list of founders.
- Weigh cost. RISD tuition is $66,460 for 2026–27, and in our record only 4 of 68 RISD admits received an award.
FOR KOREAN FAMILIES
RISD’s alumni network is real and international, but treat famous names as inspiration rather than forecast. For the cost side, see art school and debt; for RISD admissions, see how RISD reads grades and our RISD record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does RISD publish an employment rate?
Its alumni outcomes page lists counts and named alumni but no employment rate, year or cohort.
How many RISD alumni are there?
RISD lists about 33,000 alumni in 94 countries.
Which famous people went to RISD?
RISD names Airbnb co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, Shepard Fairey, Kara Walker, Julie Mehretu and Do Ho Suh, among many others.
Did any Korean artists study at RISD?
Yes. RISD lists Do Ho Suh, who completed a BFA in Painting in 1994.
Is RISD worth the cost?
It depends on the family’s budget and goals; RISD tuition is $66,460 for 2026–27, and few of our RISD admits were funded.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students, including 68 at RISD. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
From RISD’s Alumni Outcomes and Painting pages; occupation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025); RISD tuition (2026–27). Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Our RISD Record · RISD and Grades · Debt and Art School · RISD Housing 2026–27 · Royal Blue Results