by our College Data Analytics Team
[Interior Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/interior-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for interior design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interior design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for interior design in California. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #3 spot this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
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. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,672. 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.
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College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in interior design this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $9,384. Interior Design graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #9 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Las Positas College placed #10 among the best values for interior design. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the interior design program here. 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 #12 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #13 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #14 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Palomar College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College placed #16 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $24,410. Interior Design graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,160 early in their careers. Set against $24,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Chaffey College came in at #18 for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #19 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. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $36,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
California State University Long Beach ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $37,395. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #23 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #24 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento landed the #25 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,240. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for interior design this year:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.