Top 10 Interior Design Schools in 2027

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against the priorities that students and employers tell DesignIntelligence and CIDA they actually value, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, College Board, CIDA, and individual school reports. The weighting:

• Accreditation and curriculum quality — 25%
• Graduate placement and career outcomes — 20%
• Faculty expertise and industry connections — 15%
• Facilities and studio resources — 15%
• Affordability and value — 15%
• Reputation and alumni network — 10%

A school that offers a flashy name but lacks CIDA accreditation, or one that graduates students with weak portfolios and low job placement, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Parsons School of Design 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$56,000/year | Best for: Students seeking the most prestigious and globally connected interior design program

Located in New York City, Parsons School of Design enrolls roughly 5,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs, with its BFA in Interior Design and MFA in Interior Design being the crown jewels. The school is CIDA-accredited and boasts a faculty of practicing designers from firms like Gensler, Rockwell Group, and Studio Sofield. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable design, digital fabrication, and human-centered spaces, with students completing a senior thesis exhibition that attracts recruiters from top firms. Graduates report placement rates above 90% within six months, with alumni working at HOK, Gensler, Perkins&Will, and Roman and Williams. The school's location in Manhattan provides unmatched access to showrooms, museums, and studio visits. The student-to-faculty ratio is roughly 9:1, allowing deep mentorship in studio courses.

2. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) 🥇 BEST FOR FINE ARTS INTEGRATION

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$58,000/year | Best for: Students who want a fine arts–infused approach to interior design

Located in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD offers a BFA in Interior Architecture and an MFA in Interior Architecture that blend art, architecture, and design. The program is CIDA-accredited and emphasizes historical preservation, adaptive reuse, and material exploration. Students work in open studios with access to woodshops, metal shops, and digital fabrication labs. The faculty includes award-winning architects and designers, and the school's museum houses a world-class collection of decorative arts. Graduates land roles at Gensler, SOM, and Beyer Blinder Belle, with many pursuing licensure as interior designers or architects. RISD's strong alumni network and career center report placement rates over 85%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, fostering intense critique and growth.

3. Pratt Institute 🥈 BEST FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$57,000/year | Best for: Students focused on sustainable and socially responsible design

Located in Brooklyn, New York, Pratt Institute offers a BFA in Interior Design and an MFA in Interior Design that are CIDA-accredited and renowned for their focus on environmental sustainability and social equity. The curriculum includes courses in green building materials, daylighting, and universal design. Pratt's facilities include a Materials Lab with thousands of sustainable samples and a Digital Fabrication Lab with 3D printers and laser cutters. The school's location in Brooklyn gives students access to design studios, fabricators, and showrooms. Graduates report placement rates above 85%, with alumni at Gensler, HOK, and Perkins&Will. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, and the program offers internship credits with firms like Rockwell Group.

4. New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) 🥉 BEST FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$48,000/year | Best for: Students seeking a focused, professional-track interior design degree

Located in Manhattan, NYSID is a specialized college dedicated solely to interior design, offering BFA, MFA, and certificate programs that are CIDA-accredited. The curriculum is heavily practice-oriented, with courses in contract design, residential design, and lighting design. Students benefit from small class sizes (average 12 students) and a faculty of working professionals. The school's career services report placement rates above 90%, with alumni at Gensler, HOK, and Roman and Williams. NYSID's location provides access to the Design Center of the Americas and Manhattan showrooms. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, and the program offers evening and weekend classes for working students.

5. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) 🎨 BEST FOR TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL DESIGN

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$40,000/year | Best for: Students who want to integrate BIM, VR, and digital fabrication into interior design

Located in Savannah, Georgia, with additional campuses in Atlanta and Hong Kong, SCAD offers a BFA in Interior Design and an MFA in Interior Design that are CIDA-accredited. The program is known for its modern technology, including VR labs, BIM software (Revit, Rhino), and a digital fabrication studio. SCAD's career services are among the best in the country, with a placement rate above 90% within six months. Alumni work at Gensler, HOK, and Disney. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, and the school offers co-op programs with firms like Turner Construction. SCAD's annual career fair attracts over 100 firms specifically seeking interior design talent.

6. Florida State University 🏆 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$6,500/year (in-state), ~$21,000/year (out-of-state) | Best for: Students seeking an affordable, accredited program with strong industry ties

Located in Tallahassee, Florida, FSU offers a BFA in Interior Design that is CIDA-accredited and housed within the College of Fine Arts. The curriculum covers residential and commercial design, lighting, and codes and standards. FSU's career center reports placement rates above 80%, with alumni at Gensler, Perkins&Will, and HOK. The program includes a required internship and a senior portfolio review that attracts recruiters. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and the school offers scholarships for in-state students. FSU's low tuition makes it a top choice for cost-conscious students who still want a rigorous, accredited program.

7. University of Texas at Austin 🏆 BEST FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$11,000/year (in-state), ~$41,000/year (out-of-state) | Best for: Students interested in evidence-based design and research

Located in Austin, Texas, UT Austin offers a BFA in Interior Design and an MFA in Interior Design that are CIDA-accredited. The program emphasizes research methods, human behavior, and healthcare design. UT's facilities include a Materials Library and a Digital Fabrication Lab. The school's career center reports placement rates above 85%, with alumni at Gensler, HKS, and Perkins&Will. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, and the program offers study abroad opportunities in Rome and Tokyo. UT Austin's location in a booming tech and design hub provides strong internship pipelines.

8. California College of the Arts (CCA) 🏆 BEST FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$54,000/year | Best for: Students focused on community-based and socially responsible design

Located in San Francisco, California, CCA offers a BFA in Interior Design that is CIDA-accredited. The curriculum emphasizes sustainability, social justice, and community engagement, with projects often focused on affordable housing and public spaces. CCA's facilities include a woodshop, metal shop, and digital fabrication lab. The school's career center reports placement rates above 80%, with alumni at Gensler, HOK, and Meyer Davis. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, and the program offers internships with nonprofits and design-build firms.

9. Boston Architectural College (BAC) 🏆 BEST FOR WORK-STUDY

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$25,000/year | Best for: Students who want to earn while they learn through a work-study model

Located in Boston, Massachusetts, BAC offers a BFA in Interior Design and an MFA in Interior Design that are CIDA-accredited. The program is unique for its practice-based model, where students work in paid internships at architecture and design firms for three days a week while attending classes for two days. This model provides real-world experience and tuition reduction. BAC's career center reports placement rates above 90%, with alumni at Gensler, Sasaki, and Elkus Manfredi Architects. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, and the school offers evening programs for working professionals.

10. Arizona State University (ASU) 🏆 BEST FOR ONLINE FLEXIBILITY

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$11,000/year (in-state), ~$32,000/year (out-of-state) | Best for: Students needing a fully online or hybrid interior design degree

Located in Tempe, Arizona, ASU offers a BFA in Interior Design that is CIDA-accredited, with both on-campus and online options. The curriculum covers digital design, sustainability, and professional practice. ASU's career center reports placement rates above 80%, with alumni at Gensler, HOK, and SmithGroup. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1, and the program offers study abroad in Berlin and Paris. ASU's online program is one of the few CIDA-accredited fully online interior design degrees, making it a top choice for distance learners.

How to Evaluate an Interior Design Program’s Industry Connections

When researching schools, look beyond course catalogs and focus on how a program bridges classroom learning with professional practice. The strongest interior design schools in 2027 share three hallmarks of real-world preparation. First, they maintain formal partnerships with architecture and design firms that offer structured internship placements—not just optional opportunities, but required co-op semesters or studio practicums embedded in the degree plan. Second, they host regular portfolio reviews with practicing designers, where students receive direct feedback on their work from potential employers. Third, they have active alumni networks in major design hubs (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami) that facilitate job referrals and mentorship. A school’s placement rate for graduates within six months of completion is a meaningful indicator, but you can also gauge connections by asking admissions: “How many firms recruit directly from your program each year?” and “What percentage of faculty are currently practicing designers?” Schools that hesitate to answer clearly may lack the industry ties you need.

The Role of Accreditation and Licensure in Your Decision

Accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is non-negotiable if you plan to become a licensed interior designer in most U.S. states. CIDA accreditation ensures the program meets rigorous standards in health, safety, and welfare—topics that are tested on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, which is required for licensure. However, not all top schools are CIDA-accredited; some prestigious art and design institutions offer degrees that are more focused on creative exploration than professional licensure. If your goal is commercial or residential design with legal responsibility for public safety, prioritize CIDA-accredited programs. If you’re aiming for a career in high-end residential decoration, editorial styling, or exhibition design, a non-accredited program may still serve you well—but verify that your state’s licensing board accepts the degree. Always check the school’s NCIDQ pass rate for recent graduates; a consistently high pass rate signals strong preparation for the profession.

Online and Hybrid Interior Design Degree Options in 2027

The landscape of interior design education has expanded significantly with high-quality online and hybrid programs that offer flexibility for working adults or students who cannot relocate. Top schools like the New York School of Interior Design and the Savannah College of Art and Design now offer fully online bachelor’s and master’s degrees that maintain the same curriculum as their on-campus counterparts. When evaluating online options, look for programs that provide synchronous studio critiques via video conferencing, digital portfolio platforms for peer review, and physical material sample kits shipped to your home. The best online programs also require a short on-campus residency—typically one to two weeks per semester—for hands-on work in lighting labs, woodshops, and textile studios. Accreditation is equally important for online degrees; ensure the program is CIDA-accredited if you need licensure. Also verify that the school’s career services office supports remote students with virtual job fairs and alumni networking events in your geographic area.

FAQ

What is CIDA accreditation and why does it matter? CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) is the gold standard for interior design programs — it ensures the curriculum meets industry standards and is required for NCIDQ exam eligibility, which is needed for licensure in many states.

Can I become a licensed interior designer without a degree? Some states allow alternate paths through experience and exams, but a CIDA-accredited degree is the most straightforward route to NCIDQ certification and state licensure.

How much does interior design school cost on average? Private schools like Parsons and RISD cost around $50,000–$60,000 per year in tuition, while public schools like FSU and UT Austin range from $6,500–$41,000 depending on residency.

What software do interior design students need to learn? Industry-standard tools include AutoCAD, Revit (BIM), SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and increasingly VR platforms like Enscape.

What is the job placement rate for interior design graduates? Top schools report placement rates between 80% and 90% within six months of graduation, with alumni working at firms like Gensler, HOK, Perkins&Will, and Rockwell Group.

Can I study interior design online? Yes, several CIDA-accredited programs offer fully online or hybrid options, including Arizona State University and Boston Architectural College, making it accessible for distance learners.

Sources

• Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
• U.S. News & World Report — Best Interior Design Programs
• DesignIntelligence — Architecture and Design School Rankings
• Niche — College Rankings and Reviews
• College Board — BigFuture School Profiles
• Parsons School of Design — Official Website
• Rhode Island School of Design — Official Website
• Florida State University — Department of Interior Design

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