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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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.
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for interior design in New York. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $24,907. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Monroe Community College earned it the #2 place for interior design. 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, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #3 spot this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $18,107. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #4 place for interior design. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Villa Maria College placed #7 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,670 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Villa Maria College generally make around $31,909. Set against $15,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for interior design. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $27,000. Early-career interior design graduates make about $34,709. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Marist College landed the #9 spot for interior design value this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,620. Students borrow a median of $26,929 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $28,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #10 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $19,000. Interior Design graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
New York School Of Interior Design earned the #11 position for value in interior design this year. New York School Of Interior Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $40,130 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $48,041 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 63%.
School Of Visual Arts earned the #12 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,400. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of School Of Visual Arts earn a median of $46,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. School Of Visual Arts admits about 93% of applicants.
The New School landed the #13 spot for interior design value this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $36,279. That is a strong return on a $23,606 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.