2026 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Far Western Region

[Interior Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/interior-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value interior design schools.
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2026 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the interior design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Interior Design Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among interior design schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $17,075. Interior Design graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canada College earned it the #3 place for interior design. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the interior design program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for interior design value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #9 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Las Positas College landed the #10 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Clover Park Technical College placed #11 among the best values for interior design. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #12 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
American River College earned the #13 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #14 position for value in interior design this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #15 position for value in interior design this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Palomar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College came in at #17 for value in interior design this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno came in at #18 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $24,410 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,160. Set against $24,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Chaffey College landed the #19 spot for interior design value this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #20 for value in interior design this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $10,332. Interior Design graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $36,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #22 spot for interior design value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,215 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $37,395. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Spokane Falls Community College earned the #23 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,657 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College landed the #24 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Portland Community College landed the #25 spot for interior design value this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $26,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Interior Design Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s interior design value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.