2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in Virginia

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for interior design students.
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2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interior design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Interior Design Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Virginia Community College the best value for a degree in interior design in Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $33,232. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at Tidewater Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $10,195. Early-career interior design graduates make about $22,935. Set against $10,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $25,937. Interior Design graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $36,156 early in their careers. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the best values for interior design. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $25,802 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $46,761 early in their careers. Set against $25,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Marymount University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,120. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $44,175 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #6 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $40,295. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.