2027 Best Value Interior Design Associate’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for interior design students.
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2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interior design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Interior Design Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for interior design. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,861. Interior Design graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes El Centro College one of the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,835. Interior Design graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College placed #6 among the best values for interior design. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $24,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #7 among the best values for interior design. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Canada College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $15,000. Interior Design graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #9 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $12,526. Interior Design graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $29,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #10 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #11 for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $19,139. Early-career interior design graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons placed #12 among the best values for interior design. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #13 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $5,707. Early-career interior design graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #14 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #15 for value in interior design this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,967. Early-career interior design graduates make about $30,466. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #16 for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,795. Early-career interior design graduates make about $22,517. Set against $11,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #17 spot for interior design value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #18 spot for interior design value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $24,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #19 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,382. Early-career interior design graduates make about $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #20 among the best values for interior design. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Monroe Community College came in at #21 for value in interior design this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Palomar College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
College Of Dupage earned the #23 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $10,653. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College placed #24 among the best values for interior design. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #25 for value in interior design this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $8,951. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Interior Design Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in interior design:
Other Interior Design Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Interior Design rankings across degree levels:
View All Interior Design Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
