Interior Design Degree in Lafayette, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Interior Design degree analysis for Lafayette, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Lafayette
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Interior Design in Lafayette, LA Overview
While Lafayette has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Interior Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,349/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 Lafayette is approximately $52,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,374/yr
Private Tuition
$38,796/yr
Room & Board
$11,349/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,367/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
66%
Interior Design Salary in Lafayette (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lafayette's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Interior Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Lafayette adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Interior Design ROI Calculator for Lafayette
Estimate your return on investment for a Interior Design degree using local Lafayette tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,374 | Private avg: $38,796
Lafayette avg aid: $7,367/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Lafayette
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lafayette
$225,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($312,000) minus total education cost ($86,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Interior Design in Lafayette
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lafayette for Interior Design
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
public
$10,374/yr
$41,496 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Louisiana Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Interior Design in Lafayette
Lafayette offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Interior Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lafayette Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Interior Design Job Titles
Interior Design in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$45K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$41K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$50K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$45K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$40K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$44K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lafayette
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$52K starting · 9 yr ROI
Interior Design Degree in Lafayette — 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 Lafayette.