Best institutions to study Interior Design
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional planning, designing, equipping, and furnishing of residential and commercial interior spaces.
231 U.S. institutions graduated 5,774 Interior Design students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0408, a specialization of Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04), and leads most directly to the Interior Designers occupation (BLS SOC 27-1025).
About Interior Design programs
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional planning, designing, equipping, and furnishing of residential and commercial interior spaces. Includes instruction in computer applications, drafting, and graphic techniques; principles of interior lighting, acoustics, systems integration, and color coordination; furniture and furnishings; textiles and their finishing; the history of interior design and period styles; basic structural design; building codes and inspection regulations; and applications to office, hotel, factory, restaurant and housing design.
See also: 04.0501 - Interior Architecture., 19.0601 - Housing and Human Environments, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Interior Design program, part of the Design and Applied Arts field, prepares students to apply artistic principles and techniques in the planning, designing, and furnishing of residential and commercial interior spaces. This program is ideal for individuals interested in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments while adhering to safety and building regulations.
Students in this program gain essential skills in computer applications, drafting, and graphic techniques, as well as knowledge in interior lighting, acoustics, and color coordination. Coursework also covers furniture design, textiles, building codes, and the history of interior design.
Credentials awarded
What Interior Design graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,898 graduates / yr · 133 institutions50%
- Associate's degree1,540 graduates / yr · 107 institutions27%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year725 graduates / yr · 51 institutions13%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years387 graduates / yr · 40 institutions6.7%
- Master's degree177 graduates / yr · 14 institutions3.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate11 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Interior Design completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,262 |
| 2013 | 6,917 |
| 2014 | 6,107 |
| 2015 | 5,971 |
| 2016 | 5,537 |
| 2017 | 5,417 |
| 2018 | 5,489 |
| 2019 | 5,503 |
| 2020 | 5,669 |
| 2021 | 5,808 |
| 2022 | 5,788 |
| 2023 | 5,602 |
| 2024 | 5,640 |
| 2025 | 5,774 |
Top 50 institutions for Interior Design, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York School of Interior Design New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 139 | 69% | $40,589 | — |
| 2 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 135 | 74% | $49,088 | $36,040 |
| 3 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster's | 125 | 69% | $54,185 | $24,804 |
| 4 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NYPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 114 | 81% | — | $14,361 |
| 5 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 100 | 38% | — | — |
| 6 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 88 | 41% | — | $31,347 |
| 7 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 87 | 55% | — | $44,396 |
| 8 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, COPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 85 | 32% | $28,500 | $29,829 |
| 9 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 71 | 31% | — | $30,979 |
| 10 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 70 | 17% | — | — |
| 11 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 66 | 36% | — | — |
| 12 | Century College White Bear Lake, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 65 | 31% | — | $43,778 |
| 13 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor's | 62 | 73% | — | $44,215 |
| 14 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 61% | — | $33,964 |
| 15 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 61 | 75% | — | $37,565 |
| 16 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WAPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 61 | 36% | — | $45,947 |
| 17 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 60 | 50% | — | $34,845 |
| 18 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 60 | 32% | — | $32,851 |
| 19 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 58 | 17% | — | $38,676 |
| 20 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 56 | 43% | — | $32,116 |
| 21 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 56 | 32% | — | $22,935 |
| 22 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 55 | 68% | — | $35,960 |
| 23 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 48% | — | — |
| 24 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 20% | — | $33,456 |
| 25 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 52 | 82% | — | $46,585 |
| 26 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 52 | 48% | — | — |
| 27 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 52 | 37% | — | — |
| 28 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 52 | 31% | — | $32,030 |
| 29 | Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 52 | 34% | — | — |
| 30 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor's | 52 | 63% | — | $25,872 |
| 31 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 51 | 83% | — | $44,602 |
| 32 | Canada College Redwood City, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 47% | — | — |
| 33 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 49 | 68% | — | — |
| 34 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 41% | — | $24,490 |
| 35 | Interior Designers Institute Newport Beach, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 45 | — | — | $52,768 |
| 36 | Ensign College Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 43% | $11,149 | — |
| 37 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 48% | — | — |
| 38 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 41 | 64% | — | $36,351 |
| 39 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 40 | 52% | $28,087 | $29,630 |
| 40 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 25% | — | $31,463 |
| 41 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 86% | — | $49,144 |
| 42 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 34% | — | — |
| 43 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 39 | 86% | — | $46,761 |
| 44 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park Woodland Park, NJPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 38 | 44% | $23,170 | $27,937 |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicBachelor's | 37 | 51% | — | $41,243 |
| 46 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 36 | 69% | — | $37,395 |
| 47 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 36 | 61% | — | $33,867 |
| 48 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor's | 36 | 69% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 36 | 55% | — | $40,615 |
| 50 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor's | 34 | 57% | — | $36,736 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Design and Applied Arts field (CIP 50.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 41 states & territories
Where Interior Design graduates come from. Each state links to all Design and Applied Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1025, Interior Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Interior Design program can pursue careers as Interior Designers, with a median wage of $63,490. The job outlook is steady, with an expected growth rate of 3.2% and approximately 7,800 annual openings. A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0408
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interior Designersprimary SOC 27-1025 | $67,190 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~7,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1031 | $96,870 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Interior Design programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
- Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
- Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
- Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
- Coordinate with other professionals, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and plumbers, to ensure job success.
Tools and technology used
Other Design and Applied Arts specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04).
- Graphic DesignCIP 50.040910,754 graduates / yr580 institutions
- Design and Visual CommunicationsCIP 50.04016,709 graduates / yr249 institutions
- Fashion/CIP 50.0407
Apparel Design 3,243 graduates / yr119 institutions - IllustrationCIP 50.04103,166 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Commercial and Advertising ArtCIP 50.04023,097 graduates / yr161 institutions
- Game and Interactive Media DesignCIP 50.04112,954 graduates / yr152 institutions
- Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04991,720 graduates / yr77 institutions
- Industrial and Product DesignCIP 50.04041,432 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Commercial PhotographyCIP 50.0406766 graduates / yr60 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop critical thinking, design knowledge, and proficiency in computer-aided drafting.
What is the job outlook for interior designers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3.2% growth and 7,800 annual openings.
What do interior designers do?+
They create design plans, ensure compliance with safety codes, and advise clients on interior environments.
What is the CIP code for Interior Design?+
Interior Design is CIP 50.0408 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04). NCES defines it as: A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional planning, designing, equipping, and furnishing of residential and commercial interior spaces. Includes instruction in computer applications, drafting, and graphic techniques; principles of interior lighting, acoustics, systems integration, and color coordination; furniture and furnishings; textiles and their finishing; the history of interior design and period styles; basic structural design; building codes and inspection regulations; and applications to office, hotel, factory, restaurant and housing design.
How many institutions offer Interior Design programs?+
231 U.S. institutions reported Interior Design graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 41 states & territories, awarding 5,774 credentials in the year. That is 14.6% of all Design and Applied Arts graduates.
How much do Interior Design graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interior Designers occupation, which Interior Design most directly leads to, pays a median of $67,190 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Design and Applied Arts field report median earnings of $34,227 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card