Admissions Brochure 2025

Hello!

Ringling College of Art and Design is a special place. We attract the best art and design students from around the world, provide them with renowned faculty and cutting-edge technology, connect them with game-changing companies and once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunities, and prepare them for successful careers in every creative field imaginable. Our students are at the forefront of a creative revolution, making the world a more beautiful, dynamic, fun, and compassionate place. Welcome to the Creative Age. Welcome to Ringling College of Art and Design.

Business of Art and Design

Computer Animation

Creative Writing

Entertainment Design

Film

Fine Arts

Game Art

Graphic Design

Illustration

Motion Design

Virtual Reality Development

Visual Studies

Minors

Art

Business of Art and Design

Creative Writing

Environmental Studies

Film Studies

Fine Arts

Gender and Sexuality Studies

Graphic Design

Photography and Imaging

Virtual Reality Development

Visual Development

Study Abroad Programs

Belgium

France

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

Other Opportunities

International Center of Photography in New York City (Photography and Imaging majors) Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design Exchange

Master of Arts in Teaching Program

We also partner with the Vermont College of Fine Arts to offer a two-year, low-residency MAT program for those looking to teach art and design.

A Campus for Creating

The creative world is evolving and so are we.

Over the last few years, we’ve added almost 400,000 square feet of state-of-the-art academic and residential facilities to our 48-acre campus including the Alfred R. Goldstein Library, a 46,000-sq.-ft. smart library complete with Cintiq stations, collaborative spaces, a café, and more; the Richard and Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center, offering a hot and cold shop for glass, fabrication facilities for woodworking, 3D printing and metal fabrication, and a new campus gallery; the Studio Labs, housing two professional soundstages and a postproduction facility for filmmaking; Greensboro Hall, a brand new contemporary residence hall for first-year students; and Cunniffe Commons, a new dining hall complete with international food stations and a market.

Get ready to study, work, connect, create, invent, design, and make things happen on a campus designed especially for creatives.

Residential Facilities

• Designated common areas for lounging, recreation, and collaboration.

• Dedicated rooms on each floor that are big enough to allow you to work on large-scale projects right where you live.

Beyond Industry-Standard Workplace and Tech Resources

• Students receive both a high-end notebook and tablet, fully loaded with the software for success in their academic programs.

• Virtual and cloud technologies across campus support our user community.

• Students can access Ringling’s labs and work on their projects from almost anywhere in the world, on or off campus with remote access.

• Students have access to over 40 instructional computer labs across campus, which feature general-purpose and discipline-specific hardware, such as cutting-edge workstations, and software such as ZBrush, Maya, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Beyond the Studio

Since more than 70% of our students choose to live on campus, there’s always something going on after classes are over. Ringling College is home to more than three dozen different student clubs. Find your community.

Visit www.ringling.edu/campus-life for more information.

A Global Community

Ringling College is a welcoming community, where our students build lasting relationships with faculty and classmates whose work and experience span the globe.

International students come from over 50 countries, making our campus an exciting and diverse blend of cultures and backgrounds. Our Office of International Student Affairs is here to help you make the most of your experience. Check in with our international advisor for any assistance you need, such as:

• Visa information

• Employment

• Tutoring

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes

• Adjusting to life in the U.S. and more

For more information, visit www.ringling.edu/internationalstudents

collaborating with my classmates (who have become my friends)

Want to see more?

100+ Recruiters a Year

Each year, the Ringling College Center for Career Services brings the biggest and best companies to campus for one-on-one interviews and portfolio reviews. It’s no wonder our graduates go on to work at many of the world’s leading art and design companies. Here are just a few that hire our students.

The Ringling College Center for Career Services:

• Helps students create four-year career planning calendars so they can map out their college experience and maximize their post-graduate career and higher education prospects.

• Works with students on career counseling, resume and cover letter writing, interview prep, alumni networking and mentoring, and much more.

• Brings over 100 of the highest-profile companies, studios, and leaders in the art and design world to campus. Support doesn’t end at graduation. The Center for Career Services is available to help students and graduates achieve their career goals throughout their lives.

Industry Experience at Ringling College (INDEX)

INDEX* is Ringling College’s formula for turning passion into profession as part of our new Center for the Creative Economy. We guarantee that all Ringling students will have the opportunity to get professional work experience before graduation.

Opportunities include:

INDEX Opportunities Acquire experience working on professional projects from conception to execution by developing creative solutions to business challenges. Connect with real-world clients through immersive experiences, contests, class projects, and courses.

ART Network Gain video production experience through our award-winning, student-operated video and television network.

We made a real-life Board game!

Design Center In a professional design studio setting, work with clients to create internationally award-winning solutions for print and interactive media.

Internships Gain substantive professional experience related to your major from industryleading companies. Internships are secured through Career Services, but INDEX can help make recommendations.

Studio Labs Work alongside renowned filmmakers, writers, directors, and actors to make critical industry connections—connections that often lead to internships and careers.

Community Engaged Learning See how your creativity can improve your community through projects that connect you with people and initiatives working for change.

*Ringling College and The Patterson Foundation partnered in 2012 with the shared goal to strengthen the creative workforce of tomorrow. INDEX continues the legacy of this partnership by aggregating the myriad experiential education opportunities the College has long offered.

From immersive college-level experiences to creative day classes and Esports training, our teen programs offer exciting ways to explore art, design, and gaming.

PreCollege and PreCollege Discovery give high school students a chance to live and learn on campus, with options to explore our different majors. Teen Studios offers daytime traditional and digital art classes, and our Esports Camp provides in-game training and strategy for teen players.

setting up my first painting session on campus!

Learn more!

Our teen programs offer the best parts of the art college experience:

• In-depth studio instruction in fundamental art and design courses

• Major-specific immersion workshops

• Exciting social activities that balance summer studies with fun

• An understanding of college-level work and the ability to earn college credit

• A stronger portfolio for college admission and scholarships

• Lasting friendships with other students who share a passion for art and design

• A chance to develop long-term career goals as a creative professional

For more information, visit www.ringling.edu/cps

Abundance Arcell Salunga Revelations 22:1 Arcell Salunga C

How to Apply

Ringling College welcomes applications from students around the world.

Admission Requirements Include:

• Online application form and $70 application fee

• Official high school and (if applicable) college transcripts

• Letter of recommendation (optional)

• Portfolio of artwork and/or writing supplement

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

• Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test score

• Official high school and (if applicable) college transcripts translated into English

• Official international credit evaluation for students seeking transfer credit For more information, visit www.ringling.edu/apply or contact the Office of Admissions. We are happy to help you.

Building Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is as unique and creative as you are. If you have taken art or writing classes, you are well on your way. And if you haven’t, don’t worry!

Visit www.ringling.edu/portfolio-prep for suggestions and tips:

• View examples of successful portfolio submissions

• Find out how to get feedback before you apply

• Learn more about how to attend a National Portfolio Day at www.nationalportfolioday.org

• Reach out to an admissions counselor for a review at admissions@ringling.edu

Check out our portfolio resources.

Application Dates and Deadlines

September 1

Applications Open

There is no specific application deadline. Applications for all majors except Computer Animation are accepted and evaluated on a rolling admission basis throughout the year.

February 15

Application deadline in order to be considered for a Presidential Scholarship (application must be complete and all materials received by this date).

Computer Animation

September 1– Application opens

November 1– Computer Animation Early Action Application Deadline (application must be complete and all materials received by this date)

January 15– Computer Animation Regular Decision Application Deadline (application must be complete and all materials received by this date)

For detailed information about the admissions process and other important dates, visit: www.ringling.edu/apply

Financial Aid

2025-2026

Academic Year Cost

Tuition and Fees: $60,710

Housing and Board: $19,590

Supplies and Books: approx. $2,500

(U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)

To apply for financial aid, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov

For information, visit www.ringling.edu/financialaid

Scholarships

Ringling College awards merit-based scholarships to outstanding applicants (domestic and international).

For specific information, visit www.ringling.edu/scholarships

Accreditation

You got this!

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)*

Ringling College of Art and Design does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, gender, color, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law, in its programs or activities.

*For questions about the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation, please contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500

Sarasota is a creative paradise. Come and

Campus Tours include an information session, followed by a student-guided walking tour of campus and our facilities. Schedule a tour online and also get directions, special hotel rates, and visitor information at: www.ringling.edu/plan-a-visit

For help planning your visit, contact the Office of Admissions at 800-255-7695 or 941-309-0195 or admissions@ringling.edu

Attend an on-campus event

Find out more at www.ringling.edu/admissionsevents

Can’t make it to campus?

Take our Virtual Tour!

www.ringling.edu/VirtualTour

Want to learn more directly from our students and graduates?

Check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/RinglingCollegeofArtandDesign

The beach Is such a great time!