2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in Ohio

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for interior design students.
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2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the interior design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Interior Design Schools
Cuyahoga Community College District tops our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,795. Interior Design graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,490 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $25,100. Early-career interior design graduates make about $45,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $36,351. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned it the #5 place for interior design. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $25,851. Early-career interior design graduates make about $52,526. Set against $25,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #6 for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,700. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $27,000. Interior Design graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Art earn a median of $23,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus College Of Art And Design earned the #7 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,825 in tuition and fees. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Columbus College Of Art And Design earn a median of $27,970 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.