Interior Design Degree in Newark, NJ — Salary & ROI 2026
Interior Design degree analysis for Newark, NJ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Newark
Cost of Living
135
index (100 = avg)
Interior Design in Newark, NJ Overview
Newark, New Jersey (pop. 311,549) has 14 colleges offering Interior Design programs. The local cost of living index of 135 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,595/month. Interior Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Space Planning and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Newark is approximately $67,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,507/yr
Private Tuition
$47,742/yr
Room & Board
$15,130/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,623/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
74%
Interior Design Salary in Newark (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Newark's cost of living index of 135 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Interior Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Newark adjustment factor: 1.35x based on the local cost of living index.
Interior Design ROI Calculator for Newark
Estimate your return on investment for a Interior Design degree using local Newark tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,507 | Private avg: $47,742
Newark avg aid: $8,623/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,548
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,250
vs HS diploma in Newark
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Newark
$278,452
Lifetime earnings premium ($405,000) minus total education cost ($126,548)
Student Loan Payoff for Interior Design in Newark
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Newark for Interior Design
Rutgers University-Newark
public
$14,974/yr
$59,896 total
New Jersey Institute of Technology
public
$18,040/yr
$72,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Essex County College
$5,040/yr
Top Employers for Interior Design in Newark
Newark offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Interior Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Newark Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Interior Design Job Titles
Interior Design in Nearby New Jersey Cities
Jersey City, NJ
$64K starting · COL 127
23 colleges
Paterson, NJ
$65K starting · COL 129
5 colleges
Elizabeth, NJ
$58K starting · COL 115.5
6 colleges
Edison, NJ
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Lakewood, NJ
$64K starting · COL 128.8
5 colleges
Woodbridge, NJ
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Toms River, NJ
$59K starting · COL 117.7
4 colleges
Trenton, NJ
$67K starting · COL 134
8 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Newark
UX Design
$68K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$78K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$68K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$68K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$68K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$68K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$68K starting · 9 yr ROI
Interior Design Degree in Newark — 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 Newark.