Interior Design · California

Interior Design colleges in California

CampusPin lists 290 U.S. colleges in California that offer Interior Design programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Interior Design combines spatial planning, materials, and building codes with studio drawing and CAD, preparing graduates to design functional, safe interiors for homes, offices, and public spaces.

Schools in California that offer Interior Design

Interior Design programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 290 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

290

Public / private

25 / 25

Universities / 2-year

42 / 8

Cities represented

40

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$57,946

Median in-state tuition

$9,029

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Institute of the Arts

26% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Interior Design program

  • Space planning and programming for residential and commercial interiors
  • Hand drafting, sketching, and CAD/BIM tools (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp)
  • Color theory, materials, finishes, and textiles selection
  • Lighting design and building systems (HVAC, electrical, acoustics)
  • Building, life-safety, and accessibility codes (including ADA requirements)
  • Construction documents, specifications, and detailing
  • History of interiors, furniture, and architecture
  • Professional practice: contracts, budgets, and project coordination, plus a portfolio capstone

Where a Interior Design degree can lead

  • Interior designers
  • Commercial Interior Designer
  • Residential Interior Designer
  • Kitchen and Bath Designer
  • Space Planner
  • Furniture / Set Designer

Typical pay: BLS, 2024 interior designers median $63,490 (varies by specialty, employer, and location)

An Interior Design major, typically a four-year bachelor's degree, covers space planning, color and materials, lighting, furniture, building and accessibility codes, construction documents, and the history of interiors and architecture. Most programs are studio-intensive: students move through a sequence of design studios, learn drafting and CAD/BIM tools, and assemble a portfolio. Coursework usually includes building systems, environmental and sustainable design, and a professional-practice course covering contracts, budgets, and working with contractors.

Graduates plan and document interior environments for residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, and institutional clients, balancing aesthetics with code compliance, accessibility, and how people use a space. Day-to-day work spans client meetings, drawings and specifications, materials and furniture selection, and coordination with architects and contractors through construction. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of interior designers to grow 3.2% from 2024 to 2034.

The field is closely related to architecture and graphic design, and many students pair the major with coursework in construction or environmental design. Per the BLS, the 2024 median annual wage for interior designers was $63,490, with earnings varying by specialty, employer, and location.

Interior Design in other states

Other majors in California

Find more Interior Design schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 290+ Interior Design programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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