Top 10 Interior Design Schools in the U.S.

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If interior designer is your dream career, it’s time to start exploring your options. These creative professionals don’t just focus on the aesthetic aspects of decorating spaces. They need to understand the function of spaces and develop the technical skills needed for successful design. To acquire the competencies needed for a career in interior design, you need a formal interior designer education.

interior design school

DegreeQuery.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What to Look for in the Best Interior Design Schools

Top professionals in the interior designer occupation tend to come from the best interior design schools. Having a natural eye for design is valuable, but it takes more than this to become an excellent interior designer. Students need a formal interior design education to develop skills in formulating a design strategy, researching clients’ goals and project requirements, keeping work costs within the project budgets and managing the entire design project from start to finish.

What makes an institution a top interior design school?

It’s not the type of institution or degree awarded that matters most. Our list of the 10 best interior design schools includes everything from art and design schools to research universities and liberal arts schools. The degrees offered by the best interior design schools include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, as well as certificate programs. Among schools that offer graduate programs, students can choose from Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs, as well as doctorate degree programs.

Whether you choose a flexible or focused program, you should look for an option that includes experiential learning opportunities and training in the latest technology for design professionals. The right interior design program for you will nurture your artistic and design interests and equip you with the tools practicing interior designers use to prepare construction documents and use changing technologies in both the creative and less creative aspects of the field.

Among schools that offer online classes or an online degree program for design students, online bachelor’s programs are popular. Students may also look for distance learning options at the graduate levels, including an MA online degree program, an MS online degree program and an MFA online degree program.

The curriculum of an outstanding interior design program should include foundation art coursework that covers the concepts and methods of visual arts, classes in the theory and principles of design and coursework in the use of technical software like computer-aided design programs. Students should have the opportunity to explore the principles and practices of residential design and pursue commercial design work in a variety of areas, including retail design and health and wellness design. Collaborative work, such as group projects, may be part of your design or arts program. You should also expect to put in plenty of hard work advancing your artistic talent and building your portfolio.

RELATED: What Computer Programs Should I Learn Before Starting a Degree in Design Studies?

The best interior design programs also offer opportunities to build practical skills in the field. Through integrated design studio coursework, undergrad students practice their creative and technical design skills. Practicum experiences, internships and co-ops enable students to get real-world experience under the supervision of professionals in the field.

Ideally, prospective students should look for interior designer programs that are accredited by outside organizations. In the interior design field, two of the major accrediting bodies are the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

RELATED: What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

Top 10 Interior Design School Rankings

After careful consideration and research, we have identified the following institutions as some of the 10 best interior design schools in the United States. All the schools listed below provide interior design education options that produce interior design industry experts.

1. Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design

With a name like Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), it should be no surprise that this institution has one of the top interior design programs in the United States. As one of the most widely admired interior design schools in the nation, RISD has earned recognition from publications such as Architectural Digest and Azure Magazine, among many others.

The interior design programs offered at RISD include options at the certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. RISD allows students to take courses in-person and online, offering plenty of flexibility for students who are juggling a lot of responsibilities or who can’t uproot their lives to move to a reasonable commuting distance.

RISD’s Interior Design Certificate Program

The interior design certificate program at RISD begins with core courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques that prepare students for a variety of careers in the interior design field. After completing their core courses, students pursuing an interior design certificate learn about lighting, building materials and even the differences between designing for private and public spaces in their concentration courses. At the end of this program, students will design a portfolio that will help them with potential job opportunities.

While this program does not satisfy either the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) or American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) eligibility requirements, it quickly provides students with formal design skills without the academic demands or price tag of a full degree.

For the entire program, the school reports a tuition price of only $9,140.

RISD’s Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design Program

Most interior design majors are more interested in bachelor’s degree programs than certificate programs. RISD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program is a baccalaureate-level program that emphasizes the skills for repurposing existing spaces for new uses.

In this traditionally four-year interior design BFA program, students complete courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques, much as students in the certificate program do. However, through the more in-depth coursework involved in this program, students explore topics like building structures, the history of interior architecture and scheme detailing in more detail. Students’ coursework in building structures and systems for adaptive reuse, in particular, will cover how the concepts of structural design and the mechanical systems used in building structures can be applied to preserving, adapting and rehabilitating existing buildings.

Students finish this program with a completed portfolio of their design work. Tuition for the bachelor’s interior design program at RISD for the 2022 through 2023 school year amounts to $28,218 per semester or $56,435 for the whole academic year.

RISD’s Master’s Degree Options in Interior Design

In addition to the BFA, graduate degrees offered at RISD include two types of master’s programs. The Master of Arts (MA) in Adaptive Reuse is a 1-year, 45-credit program that serves as a student’s first architecture degree. The school’s Master of Design in Interior Studies (MDes) programs are 2-year, 75-credit degree programs.

Students in the Master of Arts in Adaptive Reuse program take courses in the theory of adaptive reuse, the principles of adaptive reuse and applied building systems for adaptive reuse. Master of Design in Interior Studies degrees are offered in both adaptive reuse and exhibition and narrative environments.

In the Master of Design in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program, which qualifies students to sit for the NCIDQ exam, coursework includes energy systems, human factors of ergonomics and acoustics, and studio coursework on codes and details. Coursework in the Master of Design Interior Studies: Exhibition and Narrative Environments program covers special topics in the use of interior design for storytelling purposes, particularly in museum settings.

The graduate interior design programs at RISD are the same cost as the undergraduate programs, coming in with a tuition of $28,218 per semester, or $56,435 for the whole year.

View program details.

2. New York School of Interior Design

NYSID isn’t just a liberal arts or design school that happens to offer an interior design major. The entire New York, NY, institution (and all of its academic programs) specializes solely in interior design. As one of the best interior design schools in the country, NYSID has received accolades from publications like Architectural Digest.

Undergraduate and graduate programs of study at the New York School of Interior Design range from a certificate program that introduces students to the field to five separate graduate programs to help interior designers advance their professional careers.

NYSID’s Basic Interior Design Certificate

The basic interior design certificate covers just what you would expect: the basics. Students take classes on topics like:

  • basic drafting
  • visual concepts
  • the design process
  • historical styles
  • construction documents
  • colors and textile design for interiors

Upon graduating from this certificate program, a student who is interested in taking their education further may transfer these credits into NYSID’s associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

The tuition rate for all courses offered in the certificate, associate and bachelor’s programs for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $1,150 per credit.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree at NYSID

Through the institution’s Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design program, students can start their path in the field of interior design while covering prerequisite courses. Associate degree credits can then be transferred to the bachelor’s program, which will prepare students to enter the profession of interior design.

NYSID’s Bachelor’s Degree Program

In the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program, students can look forward to receiving a more well-rounded education in interior design. Coursework in this program may include:

  • furniture design
  • kitchen and bath design
  • sustainable design for the built environment
  • light source design and selection
  • material sourcing

Graduate Program Options at NYSID

At the graduate level, NYSID offers two non-specialized master’s degree programs and three more focused programs.

Students from different degree programs and academic backgrounds might pursue the Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design as their first foray into interior design education. An interior designer interested in expanding their overall knowledge in the field should consider the Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

The specialized master’s degree programs available include the Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design, the Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design and the Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments.

For all five programs, graduate students’ tuition is billed on an annual basis and amounts to $19,500 for the fall and spring semesters.

View program details.

RELATED: What Are the Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Degree in Interior Design?

3. Syracuse University

Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a research institution, not a liberal arts college per se, yet interior design students here can expect to receive a broad liberal arts education as part of the curriculum. Interior design majors at Syracuse are part of the College of Visual & Performing Arts.

Despite the research focus of the university as a whole, the interior design program at Syracuse is one of the best interior design programs in the nation, endorsed by Architectural Digest.

Syracuse University’s Bachelor’s in Environmental and Interior Design

There is only one interior design program of study at Syracuse, but its unique area of specialization makes it stand out from the crowd. The undergraduate program is called Environmental and Interior Design, and it awards a BFA degree.

Syracuse University’s program is a bit broader, as it aims to teach students how to incorporate the principles and practices of interior design to work with a wide scope of environments, but as the degree title suggests, the curriculum has a strong focus on environmental design. Major requirements include completing three levels of environmental design courses, three levels of environmental factors courses and an environmental design capstone project.

Studying Interior Design at a Visual College

Being offered out of a visual arts college, the interior design program at Syracuse includes plenty of fine arts studio courses. These lengthy classes allow students to engage in hands-on projects in interior design practice, develop their artistic and technical design skills and begin creating the designs that will make up their portfolio.

Students also complete 15 credits of art history classes, as well as required coursework in the liberal arts and sciences.

A study abroad experience taken during students’ junior year of study is highly recommended. Students may choose to travel to London, UK, or to Florence, Italy.

View program details.

4. Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City, is a private university known for its programs in art, architecture, design and the liberal arts and sciences. Interior design course offerings at this institution are offered out of the School of Design.

This institution was one of the first in the nation to offer a formal education in interior design, according to Architectural Digest, and it remains among the best interior design schools today. Graduates from the school have a history of finding employment relatively quickly. Most students find jobs within just seven months of graduating.

Pratt’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Program

Undergraduates who are preparing to become interior designers should consider Pratt’s Interior Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Major areas of focus in this undergraduate program are interior architecture, spatial design, surface embellishment, design practices that blend interior and exterior settings and design for the urban environment – with particular emphasis on how humans interact with their environments in urban settings.

This program gives students plenty of opportunities for practical instruction and the development of practical skills in design. Studio coursework is integrated into the curriculum as early as students’ sophomore year. Throughout their studies, students will gain hands-on experience through internships and professional practice coursework.

Undergraduate tuition for the 2020 through 2021 academic year amounted to $51,754 annually for students taking between 12 and 18 credits per semester.

A Minor in Interior Design

Some students are interested in interior design but aren’t ready to fully commit to the program. Ideal for these students is Pratt Institute’s 15-credit interior design minor that allows undergraduate students from any field of study to get a taste of the world of interior design.

The Master of Fine Arts Degree

Pratt Institute also offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design for interior designers interested in research and academics as well as in advancing their careers in professional practice. Some students use this degree to become postsecondary teachers of interior design courses.

Within the MFA program, students may choose to focus on an area of concentration such as:

  • interior design theory and criticism
  • emerging technologies for interior design
  • exhibition design
  • environmental quality
  • design of ecological and sustainable environments

For both full-time and part-time graduate students, the tuition rate for the 2020 through 2021 school year was $1,847 per credit.

View program details.

5. Parsons School of Design at the New School

Parsons School of Design at the New School

The New School, a university in New York, NY, is made up of seven schools. One of these schools is Parsons School of Design, which is one of the best interior design schools in the country. Here, interior design students will find programs ranging at levels ranging from undergraduate certificates to graduate degrees.

Certificate in Interior Design

The undergraduate certificate program at Parsons offers students a quick but thorough introduction to the field, providing them with a solid foundation in interior design.

Offered in an online format in which students complete eight online classes over the span of just six to nine weeks, this program includes coursework in areas like:

  • basic drafting and interior space planning
  • color theory
  • residential and commercial design

Through the special focus on collaborative work at Parsons, you can expect to complete group projects and share studio workspaces with students from other art and design programs.

The cost for the complete certificate program is $6,760 as of 2022.

Associate Degree in Interior Design

The Interior Design Associate of Applied Science offers a more in-depth introduction to the field. The curriculum of this two-year, on-campus program includes courses in 2D and 3D drawing of interiors, environmental design and construction documents, as well as a sequence of design studio courses.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The interior design BFA degree program at Parsons that will best prepare students to begin their careers in the field of interior design is the Bachelor of Fine Arts. Like the associate’s degree program, this four-year baccalaureate program is offered on-campus.

The curriculum goes well beyond that of the associate’s degree program, encompassing coursework in:

  • the history of architecture
  • human ecological theory and design for interiors
  • sustainable systems
  • the interaction between light and surfaces

Integrative studio and seminar courses begin as early as the first semester of students’ first year of study.

Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The Interior Design Master’s of Fine Arts program at Parsons is a two-year, on-campus program that will help graduate students prepare to further their careers in interior design or enter the field as educators.

The MFA curriculum includes classes in environmental design, ethnography and design, the theory of the interior and fabrication and processes, as well as advanced design studios and a thesis.

View program details.

RELATED: Where Are the Best Paying Jobs with a Degree in Interior Design?

6. Savannah College of Art & Design

Savannah College of Art & Design

At Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA, students interested in interior design can pursue a bachelor’s degree, an undergraduate minor or a graduate degree. The institution is one of the best interior design schools in the nation, with features like SCADpro, the SCAD collaborative learning center design studio, setting it apart from other programs.

SCAD’s BFA in Interior Design

The BFA in Interior Design covers everything undergraduate students need to begin pursuing a career in interior design. You might not expect a traditional liberal arts degree experience from an art and design college like SCAD, but in this program – as in the institution’s other bachelor’s degree programs – students complete core courses designed to help them develop strong critical thinking skills and communication abilities.

In addition to these core courses, students will develop their abilities in interior design with courses in different aspects of interior design, such as the history of the field, drawing techniques and design studio work. As of 2022, program locations for the interior design BFA include SCAD’s Savannah main campus and its Atlanta campus.

Undergraduate tuition rates for one year of study at SCAD amounted to $39,105 during the 2022 through 2023 academic year.

Interior Design Minor Requirements

Undergraduate students pursuing a different undergraduate degree at SCAD may study interior design as a minor. In this 25-credit minor, students get an overview of the field of interior design.

At the Savannah and Atlanta campuses, students start their minor coursework with an Introduction to Interior Design class and continue with classes on topics like:

  • interior materials
  • graphics for the building arts
  • form, space and order

One design studio course, which focuses on exploring people and space, is included in the requirements for the minor.

Master’s Degrees in Interior Design

SCAD’s interior design programs at the graduate level include both MA and MFA programs. The MA is a 45-hour program that includes classes in theory and criticism of interior design, environmental psychology for interior design, emerging materials for interiors and research methods in the field. Students complete a final project in preparation for graduation from the MA program.

The Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design program is significantly longer, consisting of 90 hours of coursework that includes multiple internships and a master’s thesis. Coursework includes the same classes found in the MA program, along with a series of studio design courses that focus on topics like inclusive design, design for live-work settings and the design of environments for public interaction.

The cost of this program is not much more than the undergraduate program, coming in at $40,050 for the 2022 through 2023 school year.

View program details.

7. University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati

Another one of the top interior design schools is the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio. The public research university has received accolades from Architectural Digest even though the publication once singled out the campus’s Crosley Tower as one of the Ugliest University Buildings in America.

Through the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design, part of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), students can pursue both bachelor’s and master’s programs in interior design.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at UC allows students to grow their skills in a studio environment and take advantage of the option to study abroad. This program isn’t quick, but it’s thorough, and students complete their studies with considerable paid work experience under their belts.

Finishing this Bachelor of Science program takes five years instead of the typical four years required to earn a bachelor’s degree, including taking classes over the summer semesters. The reason this program takes so long to complete is that it incorporates valuable co-op experiences into the curriculum.

Other courses in the major curriculum include:

  • architectural history
  • interior lighting
  • construction materials and fibers
  • design science in building construction
  • furniture design and millwork

In-state tuition for this program for the 2022 through 2023 academic year was only $6,588 per semester, though non-resident students would pay $14,255 per semester. 

Master’s Degree in Interior Design

For students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in the field from an accredited interior design school, the University of Cincinnati’s post-professional Master of Interior Design (MINTD) can expand not only your knowledge of the field but also your career opportunities.

With this degree, which includes coursework in research methods in the field and the completion of a master’s thesis, experienced practitioners can develop the skills and qualifications for teaching students at the college level. The degree can also help you expand your skills as a practitioner.

As part of this two-year program, students can study abroad in Switzerland, Germany, Turkey or India. The program’s curriculum also includes a graduate-level internship and design studio work.

View program details.

8. Fashion Institute of Technology (part of the State University of New York – SUNY)

Fashion Institute of Technology SUNY

Don’t let the name fool you; aside from its fashion design programs, the State University of New York (SUNY)’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is one of the top interior design schools, and it has the praise from Architectural Digest to prove it.

Located in New York, NY, FIT offers two programs in interior design, an associate’s program and a bachelor’s program. At either level of study, the robust interior design program is designed for teaching students the skills needed to enter the world of interior designer careers.

Associate’s Degree

It’s true that most interior designers have a bachelor’s degree, but the interior design associate’s degree program at FIT is still worth pursuing. Without further study, you could leverage this degree to become an interior designer assistant or an interior decorator at most interior design firms.

You can also use this program to prepare to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior design, which would qualify you for a wider range of career roles in the interior design field.

The major coursework in this program includes classes in visual representation, interior design theory and criticism, the history of interior design, design technology and a sequence of design studio courses. Other classes in this program include art history courses and classes that fulfill general education requirements, which serve to educate well-rounded artists.

The tuition rate for this program differs for in-state vs. out-of-state students. For the 2022 through 2023 program, students living in New York were charged $2,645 per semester, while non-resident students were charged $7,935.

Bachelor’s Degree

FIT’s CIDA-accredited BFA in Interior Design program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for a number of careers in the interior design industry. The curriculum for this four-year multidisciplinary program combines a couple of art history courses and some general education courses with more of an interior design focus overall than the associate’s degree program has.

For example, students take classes in lighting design and advanced methods and applications of design technology, as well as a more robust catalog of design studio courses.

FIT’s interior design education is a particularly good option for New York residents. The cost of a semester’s worth of study in the bachelor’s degree program for in-state students for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $3,585. Out-of-state students would pay $10,846 per semester for this program.

View program details.

9. Kansas State University

Kansas State University

If you’re looking for an interior design degree in the Sunflower State, Kansas State University is the place to go. Not only is K-State among the best interior design schools in the country (a claim backed up by the rankings and praise from publications like Architectural Digest), but it’s also the only college in Kansas to offer a CIDA-accredited four-year interior design program.

Through courses in computer-aided visual communication, students gain technical knowledge of the use of computer modeling and design software programs in interior design.

K-State prides itself on its small class sizes and use of technology in the classroom as a way to help all students learn. The school also possesses a 93% employment rate among graduates of its interior design bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

The undergraduate program for interior design can be completed in four years, or 120 credit hours. For students at the bachelor’s level, the majority of the curriculum (aside from general education classes) is focused on professional studies courses that cover a range of topics for interior design.

Major coursework in this program includes interior design history, behavior in the interior environment and interior design practices and procedures. Students pursuing interior design degrees from K-State also study:

  • lighting
  • textile design
  • construction methods and materials
  • environmental systems for interior design
  • the principles and practices of design for supportive environments

Students also need to take a lot of professional electives that cover a wide range of areas within interior design, professional application, and professional application. Elective courses allow students to customize their creative education and develop expertise in areas of interest.

Some of the electives offered in this program include advanced studies in design and behavioral aspects of residential or commercial design, advanced interior design theory, design for aging in the modern world and an interior design study tour.

Experience is an important part of Kansas State’s interior design program. Students in the program are encouraged to take part in an internship, taking advantage of K-State’s connections to intern in top architectural design firms all over the country. Internships are typically done in the summer between undergraduate students’ third and fourth years but can, along with the practicum, occur after their second year.

For the 2021 through 2022 school year, Kansas residents only needed to pay $316.30 per credit hour for tuition, while nonresidents were charged $852 per credit hour.

Master’s Degree Options in Interior Architecture

Kansas State University’s graduate programs in this field are master’s degrees in interior architecture. The Master of Interior Architecture and Product Design (MIAPD) degree is offered in both a post-baccalaureate track for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and a non-baccalaureate track for students without a bachelor’s degree.

The post-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture degree is a comprehensive two- to three-year master’s degree program that typically takes six semesters to complete. The CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field, so you don’t need prior studies at interior design schools to be accepted.

The curriculum of the master’s degree program includes classes in visual communication, the history of the designed environment, building construction systems and structural systems in architecture and architectural technology. Design studio and workshop coursework is a big part of the graduate-level curriculum. Students also study topics like:

  • materials and finishes
  • lighting
  • furniture design
  • environmental and interior design

The non-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture is a five-year program ideal for students entering college with only a high school education. Like the post-baccalaureate program, this degree program is CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved, and it covers many of the same courses as the post-baccalaureate program, plus the material needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Ultimately, students in this program will complete 170 credits of study. They will also shave a year or more off of their education compared to if they had spent four years earning a bachelor’s degree in a traditional program and then another two or more years of graduate school.

At the graduate level, the tuition cost for the 2021 through 2022 academic year was $428.90 per credit hour for in-state students and $959.10 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

10. Auburn University

Auburn University

At Auburn University in Alabama, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design.

Auburn isn’t just one of the best interior design schools, nationally ranked by publications like Architectural Digest and Design Intelligence. The interior designer program at this school is also competitive – so much so that students cannot enter the program directly as freshmen.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Both first-year students and transfer students must start out in the school’s pre-interior design program. After they complete the first year of coursework, pre-interior design students are evaluated based on their performance to see whether they actually get into the full interior design major. To be admitted, students must prove their design abilities by submitting samples of their best work in accordance with the program’s portfolio requirements.

The interior design program at Auburn is part of the Consumer & Design Sciences department within the school’s College of Human Sciences. The CIDA-accredited 123-credit program awards a Bachelor of Science degree.

During the pre-interior design year of study, Auburn students take classes in design principles, the history of interior design, consumer culture and introduction to interior design, as well as general education courses. Generally, BS programs require fewer general education courses than BA programs do, which means that aspiring interior design students can devote more of their common curriculum to matters of academic study that relate to their intended job directly.

Since the Pre-Interior Design program covers most of the general education courses, students will focus primarily on core courses and elective courses related to their major once they are accepted into the BS in interior design program. Major coursework in the interior design bachelor’s degree program includes:

  • spatial design and planning
  • lighting
  • interior materials and components
  • mechanical and environmental systems
  • project management for interior design

Through studio courses, students develop their skills in using computer-aided design software and design for different types of spaces, including residential, commercial, hospitality and health and wellness environments.

An internship is important in this curriculum, as is an advanced design project completed in the design studio.

Undergraduates in the Interior Design program enjoy a maximum class size of only 40 students. This is one bachelor’s degree program that, for many students, really does take just four years to complete. According to Auburn University’s statistics, the average time it takes to graduate from the interior design program is 4.1 years, and 49% of students who matriculated to the pre-interior design program during the 2016 through 2017 academic year graduated in four years.

To put that in perspective, just 41% of college students nationwide graduate within four years, CNBC reported in 2019 (and even that statistic shows a big jump from the 1996 cohort, just 33.7% of which graduated within four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics).

Undergraduate tuition for this program for the 2021 through 2022 school year came in at $5,913 per semester for Alabama residents and $15,993 for non-residents.

View program details.

RELATED: What Career Path Do I Have Ahead of Me With an Associate’s in Design Studies?

Top-Ranked Art and Design Schools Abroad

Our rankings list of the best interior design colleges is nationally focused, but there are plenty of excellent educational options outside the U.S., as well. There are schools for interior design that are ranked highly all around the world, offering certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, in-person and online master’s degree and doctorate degree options.

For example, at the Chelsea College of Art & Design at the University of the Arts in London, England, students can seek a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma in interior design.

Florence Design Academy in Italy is another global standout school. An interior designer (or aspiring interior designer) with a bachelor’s degree can pursue one of two graduate programs here: a Master of Interior Design or a dual master’s program that combines interior design with graphic design or industrial design.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Can I Become an Interior Designer Without a Degree?

What Degree Do I Need to Become an Interior Designer?