by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in designing the interior of empty spaces and structures? Do you want put the finishing touches on that newly built office building or apartment complex? Although interior architects share a lot with interior designers, they do much more than just pick colors and patterns. Interior architecture focuses on the actual architecture of the building and its construction. So you may choose furnishings for a space, as well as design windows, molding and other decorative finishes. Students will also learn technical issues like making old buildings safe from environmental hazards. Essentially this means that students of interior architecture will learn how to design indoor spaces that are both functional and attractive.
As an interior architecture major, there will be many different classes that you will need to take. Although each institution has its own requirements, a majority of these classes will include: art, design, environmental psychology, history, building systems, English, geometry, physics, architecture, drafting, professional development and computer design.
A degree in Interior Architecture covers Interior Architecture. Read on to learn the essential details every interior architecture student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering interior architecture programs.
Across the country, interior architecture is a popular field of study, with 756 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Interior Architecture Schools ranking analyzes these 43 schools to determine the best overall colleges for interior architecture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of interior architecture programs later in this article.
Programs in Interior Architecture develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations interior architecture graduates commonly enter.
This is a unique field that attracts many creative and self-motivated individuals. It combines two very popular fields of study into one occupation. In order to be successful you should be ready to learn about how to preserve and restore old buildings. This field requires extensive knowledge on architectural design and style throughout history and today. It is imperative that you understand building codes and safety regulations. A student will be able to build both physical and virtual models and draw plans of their own designs to scale. Perseverance and determination are important characteristics for students who will be drawing and redrawing, thinking and rethinking, making and remaking, and inventing ways to look at the world and create it into a physical space.
A student of interior architecture needs to meticulous and yet creative. Not only will students be designing spaces, but they will also be marketing their business skills, preparing estimates, configuring contracts, and planning and managing projects. Internships or work experience are highly recommended for success in a future career.
Skills developed in a interior architecture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a interior architecture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several interior architecture degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 18 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 637 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 101 |
People currently working in careers related to interior architecture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.6% |
| Master’s degree | 18.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.6% |
| First professional degree | 9.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in interior architecture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in interior architecture allows students to go in many different directions. Some students decide to work for architecture and engineering firms. Others may choose to go into interior design firms. Although it is not necessary, some people decide to continue their education in a more concentrated manner. More advanced degrees allow students to get jobs more readily in their specified field.
Studying interior architecture opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to interior architecture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to interior architecture.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of interior architecture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,062 |
| 4 years | $55,703 |
| 5 years | $59,597 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for interior architecture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers interior architecture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
With 43 different interior architecture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased interior architecture school rankings to help you.
Those considering interior architecture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Interior Architecture | 756 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 9,814 |
| Architecture | 4,594 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2,362 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,050 |
| Environmental Design | 714 |
| Real Estate Development | 555 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 166 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 151 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
