Top Interior Design Colleges in the USA: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the right interior design college is a crucial step toward a successful career. While innate talent is essential, a formal education provides the aesthetic, technical, and business foundation needed to excel in this competitive field. This article explores some of the best interior design programs in the United States, highlighting their unique strengths and offerings.

The Value of Formal Education in Interior Design

While a formal education isn't always mandatory, most interior design firms prefer designers with at least a bachelor's degree. According to a Houzz survey, a bachelor's degree is the highest level of education attained by 44% of interior designers, while 27% hold a master's degree. A formal degree can significantly increase earning power. According to the IIDA, interior designers with advanced degrees or certifications like NCIDQ, LEED, or CID reported a median annual salary $17,000 higher than those without.

Accreditation: A Key Factor in Choosing a Program

The first step in choosing a top interior design program is ensuring it has proper accreditation, both nationally and internationally. Programs accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) undergo rigorous evaluation by industry professionals. This accreditation ensures that students receive an education that prepares them for professional growth. CIDA-accredited programs voluntarily place themselves before the scrutiny of the profession to ensure that students receive an education that will serve them not only during their time at school but also prepare them for future professional growth.

The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam is a three-part exam testing interior designers' knowledge of core competencies required for professional practice.

Top Interior Design Programs in the USA

Here are some of the best interior design colleges in the USA, known for their comprehensive curricula, experienced faculty, and strong industry connections:

1. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) consistently ranks at the top for its art and design programs. With campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France, SCAD offers diverse opportunities for internships and study abroad. SCAD is the first art and design university to receive the Instructional Technology Council’s award for Outstanding Distance Education Program and the rank of Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Teaching and Learning from the Online Learning Consortium. The SCAD Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) partners with top businesses to generate design-based concepts and solutions for various applications.

Degrees Offered: B.F.A., M.A., and M.F.A.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $38,340

2. Pratt Institute

Located in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute is renowned for its creative flexibility and practical rigor. Design Intelligence has consistently ranked its undergraduate program among the top in the country. The interior design program emphasizes spatial design and surface embellishment, studying all aspects of space and their effect on the human spirit. A high percentage of graduates secure job placements within a year of graduating. Pratt Institute’s School of Design believes that design can change the world, so this is exactly what it vows to teach its students. The Interior Design graduate program directly addresses the problems of our times, such as social justice and sustainability, and applies them to teaching.

Degrees offered: B.F.A., M.F.A.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $55,575 per year

3. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is one of the oldest design schools in the United States. RISD has one of the highest concentrations of artists in the country, making its interior design program well-known, especially for its practical instruction and coursework. The school offers "Interior Studies" majors at the undergraduate level, with specializations in design for theater, exhibition, or retail. RISD’s design program focuses on hands-on learning and experimentation, combined with liberal arts studies.

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Degree Offered: B.F.A., M.A., M.DesCIDA-Accredited: NoEstimated Cost: $56,435 per year

4. New York School of Interior Design (NYSID)

Located in New York City, NYSID is a specialist interior design school providing in-depth education to its students. NYSID’s graduate programs are highly ranked, and its undergraduate programs are also nationally recognized. A high percentage of graduates gain employment within six months of completing their studies. This program gives students the tools to think analytically; to create functional, safe, and beautiful interior environments; and to communicate verbally and graphically using the latest technology. The New York School of Interior Design believes that interior designers have a far more important role in society than many think. Their Interior Design course mixes strong basics with liberal arts studies, promoting critical thinking, creativity, technological and communication skills, and sustainability.

Degrees Offered: A.A.S., B.F.A.CIDA Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $1,095 tuition per credit

5. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati's Interior Design program is consistently ranked among the top in the nation. The program emphasizes the physical, psychological, and social needs of clients, culminating in a capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared to solve problems, think critically, and use cutting-edge technologies in the field. The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning prioritizes experimentation and questioning what has been already done.

Degrees Offered: B.S.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $13,855 out-of-state; $7,984 in-state per term

6. Parsons School of Design

Established in 1906, The New School offers a variety of programs, including a B.F.A in interior design, B.F.A. in Design and Technology, B.S. in Urban Design, and an M.F.A. in Interior Design. Parsons' faculty comprises world-renowned artists, scholars, and practitioners who lead their industries and academic fields. Students have access to NYC’s major firms and showrooms, as well as the exclusivity of connections from one of the best and oldest interior design schools. The program emphasizes collaborative work, preparing students for their careers in interior design. Parsons School of Design enables students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in and contribute to our rapidly changing society.

Degrees Offered: B.F.A.CIDA-Accredited: NoEstimated Cost: $26,854

7. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

FIT's Interior Design program has been preparing students for success. This rigorous, multidisciplinary program combines academic study with practical, hands-on projects. Its rigorous curriculum is steeped in its commitment to research, experiential learning, adaptable academics and industry partnerships.

Degrees Offered: A.A.S., B.F.A.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $10,846 out-of-state; $3,585 in-state

8. Cornell University

Cornell is the only Ivy League school offering an interior design program. Their Human Centered Design program provides students with hands-on experiences in research and innovation, focusing on the impact of design on the environment. The curriculum focuses on design strategy, sustainable futures, and health and well-being.

Degrees Offered: B.S., M.A.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: B.S: $39,466; M.A.: $20,800

9. Syracuse University

Syracuse University’s interior design programs are housed in The Nancy Cantor Warehouse. Emphasis is on self-discovery in visual art and design and critical thought. Syracuse’s program is called “Environmental and Interior Design,” which is a bit broader than most other programs. At Syracuse, interior design students get a liberal arts education and studio courses in fine arts and crafts to supplement their main course of study.

Degree Offered: B.F.A.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $55,920 per year

10. Drexel University

Drexel’s interior design program combines the study of interior design with the study of art and art history. Students explore the behavioral, technological, environmental, and aesthetic aspects of interior design within the context of complex design projects. Building on a solid foundation of visual studies, Westphal inspires a sense of experimentation and expansion of visual horizons.

Degrees Offered: B.S., M.S.CIDA-Accredited: YesEstimated Cost: $1,088 per credit hour

Other Notable Interior Design Programs

Besides the top 10, several other institutions offer excellent interior design programs:

Interior Designers Institute (IDI): This Californian school specializes in teaching interior design and interior architecture, both online and in person. IDI’s mission is to be an exclusive producer of brilliant interior design graduates who can become some of the most well-known and successful designers worldwide. At Interior Designers Institute, only one major is offered: Interior Design. Typically, 12 students are awarded a degree in Interior Design annually. At Design Institute of San Diego, only one major is offered: Interior Design. On average, 16 students receive a degree in Interior Design annually.
PolyU Design: Located in Hong Kong, PolyU Design bridges Eastern and Western design philosophies. The Interior Design program provides knowledge of how interior design intersects with other environmental disciplines.
École Camondo: This French school educates interior designers to imagine the spaces of today and tomorrow through its structured teaching style. Through the introduction of design culture and its history to the students, this École educates interior designers to imagine the spaces of today and tomorrow, and all through their structured and demanding teaching style.
Royal College of Art: The Royal College of Art pushes its students into questioning everything and provoking the fields they are in since this is the way towards innovation. Their Interior Design program is an interdisciplinary mix that creates professionals able to incorporate the social in the material, and vice-versa.
Politecnico di Milano: Choosing their Interior Design program means that, when you graduate, you’ll be able to thoroughly understand both space and people as you learn how to design with social, cultural, and sustainable needs in mind.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Program

When selecting an interior design program, consider the following factors:

Accreditation: Ensure the program is CIDA-accredited.
Curriculum: Look for a program that balances theory, technical skills, and practical experience.
Faculty: Research the faculty's experience and industry connections.
Location: Consider the location's proximity to design firms and showrooms.
Cost: Evaluate the tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Specialization: Determine if the program offers specializations aligned with your interests.
Career Services: Check the availability of career counseling, internships, and job placement assistance.

The Interior Design Profession

To become an interior designer, one needs a good eye, taste, creativity, and curiosity, characteristics innate to any such professional. Studying the principles, basics, and history of interior design, plus researching sustainability and preservation, are, however, becoming crucial to the field. With this in mind, choosing the right major and university has become fundamental. Interior designers have to work with many different types of professionals in order to complete a job, this type of collaboration helps prepare students for their career in interior design.

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