by our College Data Analytics TeamInterior Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 265 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best interior design schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study interior design matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Interior Design Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Interior Design School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Interior Design Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall interior design education, regardless of degree level.
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in interior design. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 22 interior design degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the interior design program at San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong interior design program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 28 interior design degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their interior design degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $49,780 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the interior design program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for interior design. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 27 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $44,506 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. More information about a degree in interior design from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 19 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $43,144 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. More information about a degree in interior design from University Of Florida
Students looking for a strong interior design program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 interior design students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $46,761 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $25,802 in student loans. More information about a degree in interior design from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best interior design schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 interior design students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $44,602 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250. Read more about the interior design program at Purdue University Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 18 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their interior design degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $45,176 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,100 to complete this degree. See the full interior design program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for interior design this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 interior design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $42,462. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. More information about a degree in interior design from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Illinois State University earned the #9 position for interior design this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 32 interior design degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $39,287 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,986. Get the full interior design details for Illinois State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 31 interior design degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Interior Design graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,851. Get the full interior design details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Texas Christian University landed the #11 spot for interior design this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 22 interior design degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960. Read more about the interior design program at Texas Christian University
San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for interior design this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 52 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Interior Design graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the interior design program at San Francisco State University
California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best interior design schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 31 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their interior design degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $37,395 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,215 to complete this degree. Get the full interior design details for California State University Long Beach
Arizona State University landed the #14 spot for interior design this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 53 interior design degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their interior design degree from Arizona State University earn around $41,589 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full interior design details for Arizona State University
George Washington University placed #15 among the best interior design schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 interior design students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their interior design degree from George Washington University earn around $54,222 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. See the full interior design program report for George Washington University
Washington State University placed #16 among the best interior design schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 33 interior design degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their interior design degree from Washington State University earn around $44,823 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,802. Read more about the interior design program at Washington State University
Auburn University placed #17 among the best interior design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 interior design students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Interior Design graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,585 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in interior design from Auburn University
Florida State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 38 interior design degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,144. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Get the full interior design details for Florida State University
High Point University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 26 interior design students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. See the full interior design program report for High Point University
Baylor University earned the #20 position for interior design this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 22 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their interior design degree from Baylor University earn around $39,333 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full interior design program report for Baylor University
Drexel University placed #21 among the best interior design schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 interior design students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their interior design degree from Drexel University earn around $38,154 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full interior design details for Drexel University
Florida International University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 interior design degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $52,517 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree. Read more about the interior design program at Florida International University
Samford University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 interior design degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $41,323. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in interior design from Samford University
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best interior design schools. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. There were roughly 109 interior design students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Interior Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Get the full interior design details for Fashion Institute Of Technology
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for interior design this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 43 interior design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the interior design program make about $50,993 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337. Read more about the interior design program at Oklahoma State University Main Campus
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s interior design ranking:
These schools also earned a top-quality badge for interior design this year:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #53 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| #59 | The New School | New York, NY |
| #74 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA |
| #97 | College For Creative Studies | Detroit, MI |
| #130 | Savannah College Of Art And Design | Savannah, GA |
| #131 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| #175 | Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
These schools earned honorable mentions for interior design:
View the Best Interior Design Schools for a specific region near you.
Interior Design is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 265 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.