Monday, August 21, 2023 marks the first official day of the 2023-24 academic year at Ringling College of Art and Design. The previous week was filled with New Student Orientation events—move-ins, social gatherings, information sessions, and community volunteer projects.
On the first day of classes, the campus will see over 1,200 returning upperclassmen and over 500 new, incoming freshman students. Over 2,300 portfolios were reviewed by the Office of Admissions for the College’s 13 creative majors. The College is poised to set yet another record year of enrollment with a total of over 1,700 students.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—in all forms— is a pillar of Ringling College’s mission and commitment. The incoming class alone hails from 30 countries including Argentina, China, Kenya, Oman, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, and 43 U.S. states. Approximately 24% of the incoming students are from the state of Florida.
The returning cohorts represent a diverse range of places and cultures as well, with over 300 returning international students. Including the incoming class, Ringling College will host over 40 United World College Davis Scholars again this year.
“We are so excited to welcome a very talented class of new students, representing one of the largest incoming classes of all time. This class is coming from all over the country and the world, and it’s great to be able to offer such an inclusive and multicultural learning environment,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Dr. Jason Good. “Our total enrollment is on track to surpass last year’s record of 1,705 undergraduate students. It is a privilege to work with so many driven and gifted young people, passionate about their majors and promising future careers.”
In addition to strong admissions numbers, Ringling College is showing no signs of slowing down. New plans for an iconic Signature Academic Building—which will house several of the College’s technology-based majors, a welcome center, and art gallery; as well as a new residence hall at the north end of campus are currently in process. As the College’s population continues to grow, on-campus housing is in high demand. This year, 446 incoming students will live in the residence halls, with 832 returning students in additional campus housing making up a significant 75% of students living on campus.
Faculty numbers are at their highest of all time, too—with 129 full-time and 64 part-time faculty members instructing and keeping with the College’s intimate 11:1 student to faculty ratio. Ringling’s faculty are not only top-notch instructors, but they also come with years of direct industry experience as well. All professional practitioners, they bring valuable and dual perspectives you bring to the classroom: excellent instruction coupled with real-world experience.
On October 14, Ringling College will host their Fall Open House, a chance for prospective students and their families to check out campus and learn more about the majors and programs. For more information and to register for the public event, visit Admissions Events.
