Interior Design Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Interior Design degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.6 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Interior Design in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Interior Design students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $44,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Interior Design Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Interior Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Interior Design ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Interior Design degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,275
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
8.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$151,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($265,500) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Interior Design in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Interior Design
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Interior Design in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Interior Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Interior Design Job Titles
Interior Design in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Roanoke
UX Design
$44K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$44K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$44K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$44K starting · 9 yr ROI
Interior Design Degree in Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.