by our College Data Analytics Team
[Interior Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/interior-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for interior design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the interior design degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in interior design, no school beat Ferris State University this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #2 place for interior design. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $36,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #3 place for interior design. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $19,075 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $19,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Michigan University earned it the #4 place for interior design. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $38,443. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $39,077. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #6 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $28,175. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,784. That is a strong return on a $28,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Adrian College came in at #7 for value in interior design this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Students borrow a median of $28,071 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $43,444. Set against $28,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies placed #8 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $32,665. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College For Creative Studies admits about 92% of applicants.
Lawrence Technological University placed #9 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. That is a strong return on a $27,799 median debt. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.