2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Southwest Region
[Interior Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/interior-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong interior design education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for interior design students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Interior Design Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in interior design, no school beat Collin County Community College District this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $6,900. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in interior design will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for interior design. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $8,542. Interior Design graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interior design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #6 spot for interior design value this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $13,084. Early-career interior design graduates make about $38,676. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College placed #7 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $11,376. Early-career interior design graduates make about $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $21,632. Early-career interior design graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #10 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $23,245 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $33,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,589. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #12 for value in interior design this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #13 position for value in interior design this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Texas came in at #14 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $22,288. Interior Design graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,353 to complete the interior design program here. Interior Design graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Set against $24,353 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $29,000. Interior Design graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $39,959 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the interior design program here. Early-career interior design graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #18 spot for interior design value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $42,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas Tech University earned the #19 position for value in interior design this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career interior design graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value interior design schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $44,506. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Wade College placed #21 among the best values for interior design. Set in the city of Dallas, Wade College is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,680. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $38,214 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Wade College earn a median of $24,200 early in their careers. Set against $38,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma Christian University came in at #22 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,180. Interior Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Interior Design graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $31,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #23 for value in interior design this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $27,000. Interior Design graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $27,986 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University landed the #24 spot for interior design value this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $21,875. Early-career interior design graduates make about $38,553. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Clary Sage College placed #25 among the best values for interior design. Located in the city of Tulsa, Clary Sage College is a small private not-for-profit university. Typical student debt for interior design graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, interior design degree recipients from Clary Sage College generally make around $17,889. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Interior Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for interior design this year:
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
