In today’s modern, fast-paced world, there is a growing demand for high-quality designs for creating efficient living, working, and recreational spaces. This demand has given interior designers new challenges that require new solutions that are inspiring, intelligent, and innovative. It has made interior designing one of the most sought-after careers today. The first step to develop your passion for design into a full-fledged career in interior design begins with choosing the right design school.
Choosing the right design school can be a daunting task. But you need not look any further because we have curated for you the top design schools based on extensive research and surveys undertaken by Design Intelligence Research. The list has been curated with the help of experts in the design industry by focussing specifically on which schools are best preparing students for success in the profession based on their hiring experience. The survey addressed focus areas such as graduates’ preparedness to enter the profession; an in-depth understanding of materials and environmental impact; an understanding of design fundamentals such as collaborative teaming, client communication, presentation skills, basic real estate, and commercial law; an understanding of the importance of possessing attributes such as the ability to collaborate effectively, committed work ethic, emotional intelligence, empathy, and effective interpersonal skills amongst others.
The following list has been compiled based on the above parameters, which lists the Top Interior Design schools in the United States for Undergraduate and Graduate programs.
Top 10 Schools for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Undergraduate program rated #1 nationally and #1 regionally. Graduate program rated #1 nationally and #1 regionally.
SCAD courses focus on critical thinking, effective communication, and collaborative teamwork, emphasizing professional ethics and values within the context of social, environmental, and global design practice.
B.F.A. Interior design
M.A. Interior design
M.F.A. Interior design (Master of Fine Arts)*
*The difference between an M.A. and an M.F.A. is the ratio of liberal arts courses to fine arts courses you will take.
Pratt Institute, School of Design
Undergraduate program rated #2 nationally and #2 regionally. Graduate program rated #2 nationally and #1 regionally.
The interior design program is architecturally oriented, with an emphasis on spatial design and surface embellishment. All aspects of space—scale, proportion, configuration, light source, as well as textures, materials, and color are studied in relation to their effect on the human spirit.
B.F.A. Interior Design
Minor in Interior Design
M.F.A. Interior Design
*The Minor in Interior Design caters to students pursuing other related disciplines such as architecture, industrial design, and construction management and are interested in studying design in the built environment.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Undergraduate program rated #3 nationally and #1 regionally. Graduate program rated #3 nationally #2 regionally.
Students learn to develop design strategies at the bachelor level by making interior interventions in various forms while keeping in mind the social and environmental aspects of design.
At the graduate level, it focuses on addressing design issues intrinsic to adaptive reuse as a product of both practice and theory and also on the social and environmental responsibility in architectural practice. RSID offers three pathways at the bachelor level: design for the theater, exhibition design, or retail design. The Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies program focuses on the alteration of existing structures through interior interventions and the practice of adaptive reuse.
B.F.A. Interior Studies
M.A. Interior Architecture
MDes (Master of Design) Interior Studies
Parsons, School of Design
Undergraduate program rated #4 nationally and #5 regionally. Graduate program rated #4 nationally and #4 regionally.
The School offers a range of programs along with associate programs as well as certificate programs in Interior Design. In the bachelor’s stage, students work in small groups designing a range of interiors. Graduates are prepared to enter established design and architecture studios, open their own design practices, and work as designers and consultants with public and private institutions.
A.A.S. Interior Design
(Certificate) Interior Design
B.F.A. Interior Design
M.F.A. Interior Design
New York School of Interior Design
Undergraduate program rated #5 nationally and #3 regionally. Graduate program rated #5 nationally and #3 regionally.
With an emphasis on creativity, effective verbal and graphic communication skills, technical proficiency, and sustainability, the programs are designed for a wide range of design enthusiasts, from students looking for a career in interior design to professionals looking to sharpen their skills. Associate and certificate programs are also available.
B.F.A. Interior Design
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.-1) in Interior Design
Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design
Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design
Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design
Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments
Cornell University, College of Human Ecology
Undergraduate program rated #6 nationally and #4 regionally. Graduate program rated #6 nationally and #5 regionally.
Through a multidisciplinary approach centered around ergonomics, environmental psychology, and others, the courses are designed around Human Ecology, sustainability, health, and wellbeing to understand how the built environment impacts daily lives.
B.S. Design and Environmental Analysis
M.A. Design
M.S. Human Environment Relations
Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design
University of Cincinnati, School of Architecture and Interior Design
Undergraduate program rated #7 nationally #1 regionally.
The program helps students get an academic and professional grounding in problem-solving, formal design skills, and pertinent historical and technical knowledge. The department shares strong links with the architecture department, with both departments sharing a common curriculum in the first three semesters.
B.S. Interior Design
Master of Interior Design (MINTD)
Kansas State University, Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design
Undergraduate program rated #8 nationally and #2 regionally. Graduate program rated #7 nationally and #1 regionally.
The courses emphasize human ecological theory, design theory, and interior design practice with critical and synthetic thinking.
B.S. Interior Design, curriculum
M.S. Apparel and Textiles, curriculum
Auburn University, College of Human Sciences
Undergraduate program rated #9 nationally and #2 regionally, Graduate program rated #8 nationally.
The program focuses on residential, commercial, and business practices alongside hospitality and healthcare.
B.S. Interior Design
M.S. Consumer and Designer Sciences
Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York (SUNY)
Undergraduate program rated #10 nationally
This rigorous, multidisciplinary program combines the academic study of interior design history and theory with practical, hands-on projects.
B.F.A. Interior Design
Boston Architectural College School of Interior Architecture
Graduate program rated #9 nationally.
The programs prepare students to become NCIDQ-certified interior designers through creative scholarship and real-world practical experience. M.A- Students learn design principles, progress to interior architecture-focused projects, gaining practical experience in the industry. Knowledge of sustainable design, building systems, lighting, and furniture is acquired.
B.A. Interior Architecture
M.A Interior Architecture
M.S. Interior Architecture
Florida State University, Department of Interior Architecture and Design
Undergraduate program rated #13regionally. Graduate program rated #10 nationally.
Programs consist of sequential learning that provides training in all critical aspects of the field of interior design. Studios focus on residential design as well as healthcare, office, retail, mixed-use and low-income housing, and a capstone hospitality studio.
B.A. Interior Design
B.S. Interior Design
M.S. Interior Design
M.A. Interior Design
M.F.A Interior Design
Virginia Tech, School of Architecture + Design
Undergraduate program rated #11 nationally.
The curriculum in the bachelor program is a balance of history, design, and professional practice. The master’s program focuses on advanced research in the discipline of interior design.
B.S. ITDS (Interior Design)
M.S. Arch (Architecture, concentration in Interior Design)
School of Visual Arts, New York
Undergraduate program rated #12 nationally.
The program takes a holistic approach to the discipline of Interior Design, with an opportunity to explore specialized areas of interest in both design and construction.
B.F.A. Interior Design: Built Environment
Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Undergraduate program rated #14 nationally.
The program is designed to challenge students to rethink the built environment by promoting positive change through design.
B.F.A. Environmental and Interior Design
Arizona State University, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Undergraduate program rated #15 nationally.
The program explores how people inhabit, interact and transform interior environments.
B.S.D. Interior Design
M.I.A. Interior Architecture
M.S.D. Interior Design
Iowa State University, College of Design
Undergraduate program rated #15 nationally.
The program covers topics from modern building systems, sustainability, and environmental responsibility to human factors, universal design, and public safety.
B.F.A. Interior Design
M.F.A. Interior Design
M.A. Interior Design
Top Schools in the West
Arizona State University, The Design School
Undergraduate program rated #1 regionally.
The program is primarily focused on the design of human-centered interiors while fostering innovation and collaboration.
B.S.D. Interior Design
M.S.D. Interior Design
University of Oregon, Department of Architecture
Undergraduate program rated #2 regionally. Graduate program rated #1 regionally.
The Interior Architecture curriculum centers on developing knowledge of adaptive re-use (urban/suburban/rural) strategies and the design of interior spaces for specific uses including various institutional, commercial, residential/housing and mixed-use projects.
B.A. Interior Architecture
M.A. Interior Architecture
California College of Arts
Undergraduate program rated #3 regionally
The program explores how the field of interior design offers an interdisciplinary connection to art, architecture, interaction design, furniture, and even fashion design, and assesses how interior design affects the way we live, work, and connect with one another.
B.F.A. Interior Design
Woodbury University, School of Architecture
Undergraduate program rated #4 regionally.
The program explores the intersection of the built environment with society. It combines physical, hands-on training in visual arts, product design, furniture design, and architecture with social science research and studies in the humanities.
B.F.A. Interior Architecture
Art Institute of California – Los Angeles
Undergraduate program rated #5 regionally.
Courses explores residential, commercial, institutional, and office design with courses in materials and specifications, building and safety codes, sustainable building principles and practices, environmental design, and human factors.
B.F.A. Interior Design
Colorado State University, College of Health & Human Sciences
Undergraduate program rated #5 regionally. Graduate program rated #2 regionally.
The program is grounded in research-based problem-solving in addition to a variety of cultural, environmental, and historic perspectives. The M.S allows for specialization in Interior Design and Apparel/Merchandising.
B.S. Interior Architecture and Design
M.S. Design and Merchandising
Washington State University, School of Design and Construction
Undergraduate program rated #5 regionally. Graduate program rated #5 regionally.
The philosophy behind the interior design programs is based on recognizing and respecting the interdependence of natural, social, and economic systems in framing design problems. As such, the program focuses on how interior design contributes to the betterment of the human condition from the individual to the global community.
B.A. Interior Design
M.A. Interior Design
Academy of Art University, School of Interior Architecture & Design
Graduate program rated #3 regionally.
Programs focus on creating dynamic interiors through the use of innovative approaches to spatial organization, materials and lighting.
B.F.A. Interior Architecture and Design
M.A. Interior Architecture and Design
M.F.A. Interior Architecture and Design
Cal Poly Pomona, College of the Extended University
Graduate program rated #4 regionally.
The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to successfully enter the profession of interior architecture and design with a high level of creativity and critical thinking.
M. INT. ARCH – Interior Architecture
Oregon State University, College of Business
Graduate program rated #5 regionally
The program emphasizes on Design and the Near Environment, Human Behavior in the Near Environment, and Cultural and Historical Aspects of the Near Environment.
M.A./M.S./ M.A.I.S. Design and Human Environment
Top Schools in the Midwest
Maryville University
Undergraduate program rated #2 regionally.
The BFA program includes the study of research and visualization methods, architectural principles, human factors, color, lighting, code issues, business practice, and the latest computer technologies.
B.F.A. Interior Design
University of Missouri, the Department of Architectural Studies
Undergraduate program rated #4 regionally.
The program curriculum incorporates signature characteristics of interior design such as furniture, fixtures, and equipment, color, and interior materiality.
I.B. Interior Design (baccalaureate)
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, College of Design
Undergraduate program rated #5 regionally. Graduate program rated #2 regionally.
The program develops a broadly-based understanding of contemporary interior design, including the role of human factors, problem-solving methods, design research and theory.
B.F.A. Interior Design
M.F.A./M.A. Interior Design
University of Kansas, Department of Design
Undergraduate program rated #5 regionally. Graduate program rated #5 regionally.
Design programs train students to be problem solvers who consider the aesthetic, functional, and user-focused aspects of an object or a process. This requires considerable integrative research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustments, and redesign.
B.F.A. Interior Design
M.A./M.F.A. Design
Purdue University, Department of Art and Design
Graduate program rated #2 regionally.
The programs focus on formulating, communicating, and executing evidence-based design solutions for the physical, social, and psychological needs of society.
B.F.A. Interior Design
M.F.A. Interior Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects
Graduate program rated #2 regionally.
The master’s degree is housed within an interdisciplinary educational community, providing a context for exploring the social and cultural implications of material and technological creative work.
B.I.A. Interior Architecture
MArch Interior Architecture
Top Schools in the South
Virginia Tech, College of Architecture & Urban Studies
Undergraduate program rated #3 regionally.
Involves practice with materials, finishes, lighting, computer-aided design, historical interiors, professional practice, interior construction, space planning, programming, and communication skills.
B.S. Interior Design
University of Texas at Austin, School of Architecture
Undergraduate program rated #5 regionally.
The program begins with foundation studies in design and drawing. Curriculum courses tie together history, theory, construction, and computer applications retaining a clear viewpoint on interior architecture and the other design arts.
B.S. Interior Design
University of Florida, Department of Interior Design
Graduate program rated #3 regionally.
There are four study options with the program. A CIDA/Architectural Framework curriculum track, Interior Design/Architecture curriculum track, UF 4+1 curriculum track, and a Non-Design curriculum track.
Master of Interior Design
Florida International University, Department of Interior Architecture
Graduate program rated #4 regionally
The curriculum provides students with firsthand experience of a wide range of interior design issues in specialized areas of study such as hospitality design, healthcare facility design, and workplace design.
M.A/ M.I.A. Interior Architecture
Marymount University, School of Arts and Sciences
Graduate program rated #5 regionally.
The program provides an increased understanding of human needs within the built environment as required for practice or education and research. Alongside skills that address client or user goals and needs, graphic and written communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, ethics, and social responsibility.
M.A. Interior Design
University of Kentucky, College of Design
Graduate program rated #5 regionally.
The foundation of the programs is the studio experience, which is taken each semester and provides the framework for the integration of all program knowledge and technical skills in the design of interior environments.
Post-professional degree Interior Design
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
Graduate program rated #5 regionally.
The program addresses the interdisciplinary exploration of issues in interior design at an advanced level, scholarly activity directed toward the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and the development of innovative design solutions.
M.F.A. Interior Environment
Conclusion
School is a place you can go to at any age. Whether you are a student considering a career in interior design, or you are a seasoned designer looking to get that university degree, your options are endless. There are many great schools that can offer you a strong educational foundation in interior design. Make sure you research your choices and select the program which is right for you.
Please share with us in the comments below:
Tell us about your experience at any of the above schools.
How has a college degree in interior design helped you in your design business?
Is our list missing out on any other great programs?