Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) vs Design Institute of San Diego

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) and Design Institute of San Diego (DISD) stand out as premier institutions for aspiring artists and designers. While both offer a vibrant creative environment and a strong focus on industry-relevant skills, they differ in several key aspects. RMCAD boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process, while DISD offers a more accessible pathway for students seeking a creative education. In terms of student demographics, RMCAD attracts a slightly larger student body, with a higher percentage of female students compared to DISD. When it comes to popular majors, RMCAD excels in Fine Arts and Illustration, while DISD shines in Graphic Design and Digital Media. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, preparing their students for successful careers in the creative industries. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two esteemed art and design schools and make an informed decision that aligns with your unique aspirations and goals.
Design Institute of San Diego logo

Design Institute of San Diego

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design logo

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Overview

Location San Diego, California Lakewood, Colorado
Campus setting City: Large City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (For Profit) Private (For Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 50.0% 60.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 100.0% Open Admission
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $25
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 4
Total number of admissions given out 4
Admitted students who chose to enroll 4
Yield rate 100.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A
High school GPA Required N/A
Recommendation letters Required N/A
High school transcript Not required N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $48,752 $36,403
Average net price $34,113 $22,837
Tuition $25,500 $19,425
Room & board
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $5,309
88.0%
Average amount $6,483
Students receiving federal student loan 100.0%
Average amount $6,804
71.0%
Average amount $9,131
Students taking out private loans 0.0%
Average amount $0
9.0%
Average amount $9,750

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 119
Men 10.9% Women 89.1%
1,837
Men 24.0% Women 76.0%
Graduate students 8
Men 0.0% Women 100.0%
12
Men 25.0% Women 75.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 25.0% N/A
International students 3.9% 0.0%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity N/A N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? N/A N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Kansas N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Communications Technology
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 50.0% 43.4%
Dropout rate 50.0% 43.4%
Transferred out N/A 13.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,661
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,370
  • Year 2: $27,474
  • Year 3: $34,961
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,457
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,227
  • Year 2: $35,274
  • Year 3: N/A
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A

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