by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Interior Design explores 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. 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. Continue reading for the essential details every interior design major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering interior design programs.
Across the country, interior design is a popular field of study, with 5,651 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Interior Design Schools ranking analyzes these 236 schools to determine the best overall colleges for interior design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of interior design programs later in this article.
Programs in Interior Design emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations interior design graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a interior design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a interior design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several interior design 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 363 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,508 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,775 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,005 |
People currently working in careers related to interior design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.2% |
| First professional degree | 15.4% |
| Master’s degree | 8.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.7% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in interior design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying interior design can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to interior design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to interior design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of interior design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,054 |
| 4 years | $41,389 |
| 5 years | $46,982 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for interior design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers interior design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
With 236 different interior design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased interior design school rankings to help you.
Those considering interior design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 10,676 |
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 6,186 |
| Illustration | 3,192 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | 3,186 |
| Commercial and Advertising Art | 2,987 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2,986 |
| Design and Applied Arts, Other | 1,640 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 1,395 |
| Commercial Photography | 899 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
