Interior Design Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Design of interior spaces for functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Interior Design Overview
Design of interior spaces for functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal.
Category
Arts & Design
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
22%
Lifetime Premium
$300K
Female Graduates
85%
Interior Design Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$282,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($300,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Interior Design Salary Progression
Common Interior Design Careers
Interior Designer
Space Planner
Design Consultant
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Interior Design
#1
Pratt
#2
RISD
#3
Savannah College of Art and Design
#4
Parsons
#5
Cornell
Related Majors
Interior Design Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Interior Design Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for interior design programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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