Interior Design Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Interior Design degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Interior Design in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Interior Design programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/month. Interior Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Space Planning and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Las Cruces is approximately $61,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Interior Design Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Interior Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Interior Design ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Interior Design degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,450
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$261,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($369,000) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Interior Design in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Interior Design
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Interior Design in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Interior Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Interior Design Job Titles
Interior Design in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Las Cruces
UX Design
$62K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$71K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$62K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$62K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$62K starting · 9 yr ROI
Interior Design Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Las Cruces.