QUICK ANSWER
Among stand-alone art schools that publish figures, the lowest admission rates belong to Cooper Union and RISD. Cooper Union admitted 16.4% of all first-year applicants entering in 2025 (363 of 2,219), and federal IPEDS data put RISD at 18.66% for fall 2024. The narrowest door of all is a programme: RISD’s Brown|RISD Dual Degree admitted 25 of 856 applicants for the Class of 2030.
University rates such as Yale’s 4.4% for the Class of 2030 are lower, but they cover every applicant, not art students, so they do not answer this question.
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Published Admission Rates, With Their Years
| School | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Brown|RISD Dual Degree | 25 of 856 (about 2.9%) | Class of 2030 programme figures |
| Cooper Union | 16.4% | All first-year applicants entering 2025 |
| RISD | 18.66% | IPEDS, fall 2024 |
| CalArts | 32.34% | IPEDS, fall 2024 |
| MICA | 76.79% | IPEDS, fall 2024 |
| SCAD | 82.98% | IPEDS, fall 2024 |
| SVA | 92.64% | IPEDS, fall 2024 |
From Cooper Union institutional statistics, RISD Brown|RISD figures and federal IPEDS data, checked October 2026. Rates are school-wide unless stated.
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Why a Low Rate Is Not the Whole Story
A school-wide rate mixes every major and every applicant. RISD admits students without a declared major, so no department-level rate exists. CalArts admits by programme and does not publish programme rates. And a high overall rate can hide competitive majors. Use these figures to set expectations, then judge fit by each school’s portfolio requirements.
FOR KOREAN STUDENTS
Selectivity and funding are separate questions: in our record RISD funded 6% of admits, MICA 80%. See the Cooper Union guide and building a RISD portfolio.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest art school to get into?
Among stand-alone art schools, Cooper Union (16.4%, entering 2025) and RISD (18.66%, fall 2024).
What is the most selective art programme?
Brown|RISD Dual Degree: 25 admitted from 856 applicants for the Class of 2030.
Is Yale harder to get into than RISD?
Yale’s 4.4% covers all applicants; Yale does not publish an art-specific rate.
What is CalArts’ admission rate?
32.34% in federal IPEDS data for fall 2024; CalArts does not publish programme rates.
Do art schools publish rates by major?
Generally no; RISD, for example, admits students without a declared major.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
Our director has taught Korean students for U.S. art schools for 19 years, from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our results page lists 1,099 acceptances, 2009–2026, each confirmed directly with the student. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
From Cooper Union institutional statistics (entering 2025), RISD Brown|RISD Dual Degree figures, Yale’s Class of 2030 profile and IPEDS (fall 2024). 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: Cooper Union Guide · RISD Portfolio · Realistic Acceptance Rates · Researching Schools · Royal Blue Results