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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Southwest Region

21 Colleges in the United States
$20,588 Avg Student Debt
$52,186 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Interior Design Badge [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 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 31 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 Southwest 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

1
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for interior design in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,835. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,478. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.

2

Collin County Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #2 spot this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,900. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for interior design. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

A rank of #4 makes San Jacinto Community College one of the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for interior design value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Texas landed the #7 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $22,288. Interior Design graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $15,204. Early-career interior design graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Scottsdale Community College landed the #9 spot for interior design value this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $38,676. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Northern Arizona University landed the #10 spot for interior design value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $23,245 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $33,964. That is a strong return on a $23,245 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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11

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #12 for value in interior design this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in interior design this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $22,337. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

14

Sam Houston State University came in at #14 for value in interior design this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $39,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #15 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $24,353. Interior Design graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Set against $24,353 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

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16

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #16 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $27,000. Interior Design graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.

18

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $44,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

19

University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #19 spot for interior design value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $42,619. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

20

Texas Tech University earned the #20 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $27,000. Early-career interior design graduates make about $27,986. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

22

Oklahoma Christian University landed the #22 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,180 in tuition and fees. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $31,466. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23
Wade College crest
Wade College
Dallas, TX

Wade College landed the #23 spot for interior design value this year. Wade College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $17,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $38,214. Early-career interior design graduates make about $24,200. Set against $38,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Abilene Christian University earned the #24 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $38,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

25

Clary Sage College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Clary Sage College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Clary Sage College earn a median of $17,889 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Interior Design Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in interior design:

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Narrow Interior Design Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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