2026 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

For return on investment in interior design, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,490 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.

4

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,077 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,077 median debt.

5

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

6

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Gateway Technical College placed #6 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $29,734. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.

7

Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI

Waukesha County Technical College earned the #7 position for value in interior design this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,554 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $39,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,554 median debt.

8

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,582 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $32,673 early in their careers. Set against $16,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College placed #9 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,710 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,602. Set against $12,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College earned the #10 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,075 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $19,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #11 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $18,296. Early-career interior design graduates make about $27,795. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.

12

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #12 among the best values for interior design. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Western Technical College La Cross
La Crosse, WI

Western Technical College La Cross earned the #13 position for value in interior design this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $12,057 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $23,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

15

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College landed the #15 spot for interior design value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $30,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $23,684. Early-career interior design graduates make about $41,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

17

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #17 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $27,517. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

18

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #18 among the best values for interior design. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $34,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

19

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #19 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,864 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #20 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $20,875. Early-career interior design graduates make about $49,780. Set against $20,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

21

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #21 spot for interior design value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

22

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,100 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $45,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

23

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $38,443 early in their careers. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #24 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $39,077. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.