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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong interior design education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for interior design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interior design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Pellissippi State Community College the best value for a degree in interior design in Tennessee. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $8,951. Early-career interior design graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $38,807. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $19,250. Interior Design graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the interior design program here. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Belmont University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $28,702 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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.