by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 45 U.S. colleges awarded 933 degrees and certificates in Interior Architecture. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 88% of graduates. College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Interior Architecture Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,062 one year after completing, rising to $61,576 after four years.
Are you interested in designing the interior of empty spaces and structures? Do you want put the finishing touches on that newly built office building or apartment complex? Although interior architects share a lot with interior designers, they do much more than just pick colors and patterns. Interior architecture focuses on the actual architecture of the building and its construction. So you may choose furnishings for a space, as well as design windows, molding and other decorative finishes. Students will also learn technical issues like making old buildings safe from environmental hazards. Essentially this means that students of interior architecture will learn how to design indoor spaces that are both functional and attractive.
As an interior architecture major, there will be many different classes that you will need to take. Although each institution has its own requirements, a majority of these classes will include: art, design, environmental psychology, history, building systems, English, geometry, physics, architecture, drafting, professional development and computer design.
A degree in Interior Architecture covers Interior Architecture.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, interior architecture is a popular field of study, with 933 degrees awarded annually. 45 colleges award interior architecture degrees, an average of 21 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 75.
By level, the 933 awards include 33 associate degrees, 822 bachelor’s degrees and 78 master’s degrees.
Women earned 89% of interior architecture degrees and certificates in the latest year (832 of 933). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (645) and Hispanic or Latino (108), and international students earned 44.
College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Interior Architecture Schools ranking, including 32 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks interior architecture schools within 17 states. In all, 45 colleges offer interior architecture programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Interior Architecture Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common interior architecture credential is the bachelor’s degree: 822 of the 933 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to interior architecture call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Design and Building and Construction, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
This is a unique field that attracts many creative and self-motivated individuals. It combines two very popular fields of study into one occupation. In order to be successful you should be ready to learn about how to preserve and restore old buildings. This field requires extensive knowledge on architectural design and style throughout history and today. It is imperative that you understand building codes and safety regulations. A student will be able to build both physical and virtual models and draw plans of their own designs to scale. Perseverance and determination are important characteristics for students who will be drawing and redrawing, thinking and rethinking, making and remaking, and inventing ways to look at the world and create it into a physical space.
A student of interior architecture needs to meticulous and yet creative. Not only will students be designing spaces, but they will also be marketing their business skills, preparing estimates, configuring contracts, and planning and managing projects. Internships or work experience are highly recommended for success in a future career.
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How long an interior architecture degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 33 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 822 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 78 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to interior architecture, at 43.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.6% |
| Master’s degree | 18.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.6% |
| First professional degree | 9.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Interior Architecture, with an average median salary of $78,290; the strongest outlook belongs to Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Lecturer, Architecture Instructor, Architectural Drafting Instructor and Adjunct Instructor.
A degree in interior architecture allows students to go in many different directions. Some students decide to work for architecture and engineering firms. Others may choose to go into interior design firms. Although it is not necessary, some people decide to continue their education in a more concentrated manner. More advanced degrees allow students to get jobs more readily in their specified field.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to interior architecture, at 489,715.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
Interior Architecture graduates earn a median $45,062 one year after completing their program, $61,576 after four years and $59,597 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,062 |
| 4 years | $61,576 |
| 5 years | $59,597 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to interior architecture is Architectural and Engineering Managers, with a median salary of $101,277.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
Interior Architecture includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Interior Architecture (933). It has 8 similar majors in the Architecture/Urban Planning field, which together award 20,276 degrees a year; the largest are Architectural Sciences and Technology (10,337), Architecture (4,669) and City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (2,179). Browse all Architecture/Urban Planning majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Interior Architecture | 933 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 10,337 |
| Architecture | 4,669 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2,179 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,321 |
| Environmental Design | 773 |
| Real Estate Development | 608 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 216 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 173 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
