Best colleges for Interior Architecture
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Interior Architecture by graduate earnings are California State University - Sacramento ($50,108), University of Nebraska-Lincoln ($46,293) and Chatham University ($45,785), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- California State University - Sacramento (Sacramento, CA): $50,108, 52 graduates a year
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln, NE): $46,293, 35 graduates a year
- Chatham University (Pittsburgh, PA): $45,785, 27 graduates a year
- Colorado State University - Fort Collins (Fort Collins, CO): $45,774, 75 graduates a year
- The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Knoxville, TN): $45,448, 50 graduates a year
Compare 45 U.S. colleges offering Interior Architecture by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 25 states.
Interior Architecture programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,811 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 04.05 and the Interior Designers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Interior Architecture programs
The Interior Architecture program focuses on the design of interior spaces, emphasizing the creation and adaptation of environments that are functional, aesthetic, and sustainable. This program is ideal for students interested in transforming spaces to meet the needs of clients while adhering to safety and design standards.
Students in this program will develop critical skills in design, customer service, and building construction. Coursework typically includes the use of computer-aided drafting (CAD) software, understanding health and safety codes, and effective communication with clients regarding their interior design preferences.
Top 12 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,108 | 52 | 56% | — | $16,500 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,293 | 35 | 67% | — | $26,876 |
| 3 | Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,785 | 27 | 63% | $23,700 | — |
| 4 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,774 | 75 | 67% | — | $22,417 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,448 | 50 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,811 | 31 | 67% | — | $22,254 |
| 7 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,696 | 21 | 69% | $26,034 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,511 | 41 | 69% | — | $17,750 |
| 9 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,669 | 21 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 10 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,513 | 41 | 53% | — | $30,525 |
| 11 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,441 | 9 | 43% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,591 | 19 | 84% | $28,851 | — |
Specializations within Interior Architecture
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 04.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 25 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | $50,108 | California State University - Sacramento |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | $46,293 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $45,785 | Chatham University |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | $45,774 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins |
| Tennesseelimited | 2 | $45,448 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
| Mississippilimited | 2 | $44,811 | Mississippi State University |
| Louisiana | 3 | $44,511 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | $40,669 | Bowling Green State University |
| Indiana | 3 | $40,441 | Indiana State University |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | $39,591 | Syracuse University |
| Texaslimited | 2 | $36,513 | The University of Texas at San Antonio |
| Alabamalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 3 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1025, Interior Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Interior Architecture program can pursue careers in various design roles, with an expected job growth rate of 3.2% and approximately 7,800 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $63,490, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Interior Architecture
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.05 (Interior Architecture) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-1025 | Interior Designersprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Interior Architecture programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What is Interior Architecture?+
Interior Architecture is the design of interior spaces, focusing on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn critical thinking, design principles, and how to use CAD software, among other skills.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about average, with a growth rate of 3.2% and around 7,800 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for graduates?+
The median wage for professionals in Interior Architecture is $63,490.
How much do Interior Architecture graduates earn?+
Interior Architecture graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,811, College Scorecard (2019); the Interior Designers occupation pays about $74,540 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Interior Architecture?+
Interior Architecture maps to CIP 04.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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