Best Interior Design Schools In The U.S.

Overview

As a university that focuses exclusively on interior design, NYSID earns a deserved place among the best interior design schools in the U.S.A. The school’s BFA in interior design program blends the liberal arts with a professionally-focused interior design curriculum, requiring that students complete 132 credits, a process that usually takes eight semesters. Interesting program courses include kitchen and bath design, furniture design, and an architectural workshop. Students must also take an intensive course in either French or Italian. Students complete the program by creating and defending a thesis.

Overview

One of the best interior design schools in the South, SCAD offers a BFA in interior design program that requires students to earn 180 credits. As opposed to some peer programs, almost the entire curriculum focuses on art and design and includes studies in modern architecture, visual culture, drawing, and color theory. Students also complete six different interior design studio courses. The final two interior design studio courses serve as a capstone experience. Students can complete the BFA program at SCAD’s Savannah, Hong Kong, and Atlanta campuses.

Overview

GW’s BFA in interior architecture prides itself on its employment rate, placing 91% of its 2017 graduates in either design-related positions or graduate school. The program’s 120-credit curriculum includes relevant studies in graphic communications, sketching, modern architecture, and lighting and acoustics. All students must also complete a 120-hour internship in the field with a design agency. Students interested in earning the program’s prestigious Corcoran Scholarship must submit a portfolio of their previous work. Out of all top-ranked research universities, only three others apart from GW offer an undergraduate interior design program. As such, GW earns a place among the nation’s best interior design schools.

Overview

One of the best interior design schools in the nation, Virginia Tech offers a pre-professional bachelor of science in interior design program that allows students plenty of studio time to learn about lighting, computer skills, historical interiors, and space planning in a hands-on way. The program’s curriculum includes studies in sustainable design and LEED, design appreciation, and interior design history. The program prides itself on placing graduates in professional settings such as corporations, architectural and design firms, and space planning organizations. The program currently only accepts students for the fall semester and maintains small cohorts each year, so admission is often competitive.

Overview

One of the biggest names in the art world, Parsons also earns a place among the best colleges for interior design. The school’s BFA in interior design program requires students to complete 120 credits, an undertaking that requires the typical four years. Transfer credits may bring up to 60 credits with them. The curriculum includes coursework in foundational areas such as drawing, materiality and assembly, and design studios. The curriculum includes a capstone course in which students complete a final studio project synthesizing everything they learn in the program.