Interior design is the art of creating beautiful and functional spaces inside buildings. Designers choose colors, furniture, and decorations. They make sure rooms are comfortable and practical. Interior design involves planning and arranging spaces. Designers work with clients to understand their needs. They use creativity to solve problems. Interior design combines art and science. It improves how spaces look and feel. This blog lists 30 Best Colleges for Interior Design in USA . Best Colleges for Interior Design in USA listing includes details like GPA requirements, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and salary information. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.
30 Best Colleges for Interior Design in USA
1) Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1400
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: RISD offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. RISD is highly respected worldwide.
2) Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1270
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in creative industries.
Academic Highlights: SCAD has a strong design program. Students use modern facilities and tools. Professors are experienced designers. There are many internship opportunities. SCAD hosts industry events and showcases. Students can study abroad in Europe. SCAD graduates are highly employable. The campus is vibrant and artistic.
3) Parsons School of Design
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1320
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 35%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: Parsons is a leading design school. It has an innovative curriculum. Students learn from industry experts. The school has strong industry connections. Internships are part of the program. Students work on real-world projects. The campus is in New York City. Parsons alumni are very successful.
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4) Pratt Institute
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates are in high demand.
Academic Highlights: Pratt has a strong design focus. Students learn through hands-on projects. The campus has excellent facilities. Professors are skilled professionals. There are many networking opportunities. Students can participate in internships. Pratt’s location is ideal for designers. The alumni network is very supportive.
5) New York School of Interior Design (NYSID)
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1220
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: NYSID is dedicated to interior design. The curriculum is comprehensive and modern. Students get hands-on experience. Professors are industry experts. Facilities are state-of-the-art. There are many internship opportunities. Students can study abroad. NYSID graduates are highly employable.
6) California College of the Arts (CCA)
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in creative fields.
Academic Highlights: CCA has a strong design program. Students work on real projects. Professors are experienced designers. The campus is in the heart of San Francisco. Facilities are top-notch and modern. Internships are widely available. CCA hosts many industry events. Graduates are very successful in design.
7) School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1240
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: SAIC offers a broad design curriculum. Students learn from industry experts. Facilities are modern and well-equipped. Internships are part of the program. Students can study abroad. SAIC has a strong alumni network. The campus is in downtown Chicago. Graduates are highly employable.
8) Cornell University
- GPA: 3.9
- Median SAT: 1480
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: Cornell has a top design program. Students study in a rigorous environment. Professors are leading experts. Facilities are cutting-edge. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. Cornell’s campus is beautiful and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
9) Drexel University
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: Drexel has a strong design focus. Students learn through practical projects. The campus has excellent facilities. Professors are skilled professionals. There are many networking opportunities. Students can participate in internships. Drexel’s location is ideal for designers. The alumni network is very supportive.
10) Auburn University
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1270
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: Auburn has a top design program. Students study in a rigorous environment. Professors are leading experts. Facilities are cutting-edge. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. Auburn’s campus is beautiful and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
11) University of Cincinnati
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1260
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: UC offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. UC is highly respected.
12) Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
- GPA: 3.2
- Median SAT: 1200
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: FIT focuses on practical design skills. The curriculum is industry-focused. Students learn from professionals. The facilities are excellent and modern. There are many internship opportunities. FIT has a strong alumni network. The campus is in New York City. Graduates are highly employable.
13) Syracuse University
- GPA: 3.7
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: Syracuse offers a top design program. Students study in a creative environment. Professors are industry leaders. Facilities are state-of-the-art. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. Syracuse’s campus is beautiful and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
14) University of Southern California (USC)
- GPA: 3.8
- Median SAT: 1450
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 16%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: USC has a leading design program. Students study in a dynamic environment. Professors are industry experts. Facilities are cutting-edge. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. USC’s campus is vibrant and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
30 Best Colleges for Interior Design in USA
15) University of Florida
- GPA: 3.7
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: UF offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. UF is highly respected.
16) Texas Christian University (TCU)
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: TCU has a strong design program. Students learn through hands-on projects. The campus has excellent facilities. Professors are skilled professionals. There are many networking opportunities. Students can participate in internships. TCU’s location is ideal for designers. The alumni network is very supportive.
17) University of Texas at Austin
- GPA: 3.7
- Median SAT: 1330
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers top design education. Students work on practical projects. Professors are industry experts. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Internships are widely available. UT hosts many industry events. Students can study abroad. UT graduates are highly employable.
18) University of Oregon
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1220
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: UO offers a broad design curriculum. Students learn from industry experts. Facilities are modern and well-equipped. Internships are part of the program. Students can study abroad. UO has a strong alumni network. The campus is in a vibrant city. Graduates are highly employable.
19) Art Center College of Design
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1270
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in creative fields.
Academic Highlights: The Art Center has a strong design focus. Students work on real projects. Professors are experienced designers. The campus is in the heart of Pasadena. Facilities are top-notch and modern. Internships are widely available. Art Center hosts many industry events. Graduates are very successful in design.
20) Kansas State University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1210
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: KSU offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. KSU is highly respected.
21) Oklahoma State University
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1230
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: OSU has a top design program. Students study in a rigorous environment. Professors are leading experts. Facilities are cutting-edge. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. OSU’s campus is beautiful and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
22) University of Kentucky
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1210
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: The UK offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. The UK is highly respected.
23) University of Tennessee
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1240
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: The University of Texas (UT) offers a broad design curriculum. Students can learn from industry experts in modern, well-equipped facilities. Internships are an integral part of the program, and students can also take advantage of studying abroad. UT boasts a strong alumni network and is located in a vibrant city. Graduates of the program are highly employable.
24) University of Wisconsin-Madison
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: UW-Madison has a strong design program. Students learn through hands-on projects. The campus has excellent facilities. Professors are skilled professionals. There are many networking opportunities. Students can participate in internships. UW-Madison’s location is ideal for designers. The alumni network is very supportive.
25) Florida State University
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1270
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: FSU has a top design program. Students study in a rigorous environment. Professors are leading experts. Facilities are cutting-edge. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. FSU’s campus is beautiful and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
26) Arizona State University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1210
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: ASU offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. ASU is highly respected.
27) Colorado State University
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1220
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: CSU has a top design program. Students study in a rigorous environment. Professors are leading experts. Facilities are cutting-edge. There are many research opportunities. Students can participate in internships. CSU’s campus is beautiful and inspiring. Graduates are highly successful.
28) Ball State University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1200
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: Ball State offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. Ball State is highly respected.
29) University of North Texas
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1190
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top design firms.
Academic Highlights: UNT offers a broad design curriculum. Students learn from industry experts. Facilities are modern and well-equipped. Internships are part of the program. Students can study abroad. UNT has a strong alumni network. The campus is in a vibrant city. Graduates are highly employable.
30) University of Minnesota
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Requirements: Portfolio, essays, recommendations.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various design fields.
Academic Highlights: UMN offers excellent design education. Students work on practical projects. Classes are small and personalized. Facilities are state-of-the-art. Professors are industry professionals. Internships are widely available. Graduates often start successful careers. UMN is highly respected.
Best Interior Design Colleges – Conclusion
Selecting the right college for interior design is crucial. Each school on this list has unique strengths and opportunities, offering excellent programs, experienced instructors, and strong industry connections. These colleges equip students with the skills for successful careers in interior design, boasting high job placement rates and earning potential. Consider your goals, interests, and needs to find the best fit for you. Best of luck on your exciting journey into the world of interior design!