To add to my preceding post, my daughter graduated from RISD with a major in industrial design. That’s an intensive program, but RISD then permitted the students to take 3 or 4 courses in social sciences/humanities at Brown (which is adjacent to RISD – literally just up the street). Her courses at Brown inspired her interest in ecological design and social issues, something that her professors at RISD acknowledged by giving her the first “Rachel Carson Award” at RISD. This was before the dual degree 5 year Brown-RISD program was established. That program is a difficult admit, since the students must meet requirements from both colleges, including a portfolio at RISD. But it’s worth considering if a student has test and grade and EC credentials – as well as the breadth of interest of the OP’s son. Graduates earn degrees both from Brown and RISD.