Interior Design Degree in Frederick, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Interior Design degree analysis for Frederick, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Frederick
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Interior Design in Frederick, MD Overview
While Frederick has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Interior Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,475/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Interior Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Space Planning and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Frederick is approximately $56,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,475/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,491/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Interior Design Salary in Frederick (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Frederick's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Interior Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Frederick adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Interior Design ROI Calculator for Frederick
Estimate your return on investment for a Interior Design degree using local Frederick tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Frederick avg aid: $13,491/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Frederick
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Frederick
$232,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($337,500) minus total education cost ($105,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Interior Design in Frederick
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Frederick for Interior Design
Frederick State University
public
$11,147/yr
$44,588 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Frederick Community College
$6,149/yr
Top Employers for Interior Design in Frederick
Frederick offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Interior Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Frederick Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Interior Design Job Titles
Interior Design in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Frederick
UX Design
$56K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$56K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$56K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$56K starting · 9 yr ROI
Interior Design Degree in Frederick — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Interior Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Frederick.