by our College Data Analytics Team
[Interior Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/interior-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for interior design students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interior design, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in interior design, no school beat Raritan Valley Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $9,668. Early-career interior design graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Brookdale Community College one of the best values for interior design. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $12,651. Interior Design graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $26,713 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Kean University earn a median of $35,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at New Jersey Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $38,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Berkeley College Woodland Park earned it the #5 place for interior design. Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodland Park. In-state tuition and fees average $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,949 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $27,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.