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2026 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Southeast Region

30 Colleges in the United States
$21,368 Avg Student Debt
$49,925 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Interior Design Badge [Interior Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/interior-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong interior design education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for interior design students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interior design, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Interior Design Schools

1

Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among interior design schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $19,613 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $35,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for interior design. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $30,979. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattahoochee Technical College earned it the #4 place for interior design. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,839 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

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6

Indian River State College came in at #6 for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $29,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Miami Dade College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $30,466. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Pellissippi State Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $8,951. Interior Design graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.

10

Cape Fear Community College earned the #10 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Lanier Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Athens Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $9,500. Early-career interior design graduates make about $41,631. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

13

Wake Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $13,414 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $32,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,414 median debt.

14

Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for interior design. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

15

Palm Beach State College came in at #15 for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $36,768. Set against $12,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Tidewater Community College placed #16 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $10,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $22,935. Set against $10,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #17 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

18

Northern Virginia Community College earned the #18 position for value in interior design this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $33,232 early in their careers. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Randolph Community College landed the #19 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,416 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Interior Design graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.

20

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #20 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $26,000. Interior Design graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $38,858 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #21 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $38,807. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

22

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #22 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $41,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.

23
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA

Gwinnett Technical College landed the #23 spot for interior design value this year. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $18,997 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $32,851 early in their careers. Set against $18,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Western Carolina University earned the #24 position for value in interior design this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $29,911. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $32,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

25

Valdosta State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Interior Design Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s interior design value ranking:

26
27
28
29
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
30
31
32
33
34
35
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
36
37
38
39
40
Brenau University crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
41
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
42
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
43
44
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
45
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
46
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
47
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC
48

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Notes and References

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 · 60 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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