7.) RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN* (Providence, RI)

-Programs: Apparel Design; Jewelry and Metalsmithing; Textiles
-Number of Students: Undergrads: 1,940; Fashion/apparel/textiles/jewelry: 200
-Tuition: $39,000
-Misc: You can cross-register at Brown University.
-Famous Grads: Nicole Miller, Sari Gueron, Philip Crangi, Marcia Patmos, Sarah Welsh & Madeline Davy (formerly of Octopi)
-The Bottom Line: One of the most respected design schools in the world, their profile as a fashion design school is only getting rosier. This is a pure design school. While small, their fashion design is still on the national radar; last fall RISD partnered with Elle magazine and showed a student fashion show at New York Fashion Week.