Interior Design
Program Summary
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional planning, designing, equipping, and furnishing residential and commercial interior spaces. Includes instruction in computer applications drafting and graphic techniques; principles of interior lighting, acoustics, systems integration, and color coordination; furniture and furnishings; textiles and their finishing; the history of interior design and period styles; basic structural design; building codes and inspection regulations; and applications to office, hotel, factory, restaurant and housing design.
Discover More About a Degree in Interior Design
Recent Questions
What is Interior Design?
An interior designer constructs aesthetically pleasing environments using material, color, fabric, spacing, shelving and lighting in order to meet the needs of clients. Designers must be knowledgeable in multiple fields, including architecture, design, safety regulation, and art and must be able to keep pace with trends while remaining creative and distinct. Designers will collaborate with architects, electricians, contractors and landscapers in order to complete the designs to spec. Designers must also be able to read blueprints, know fire codes and regulations, and be knowledgeable of software relating to design.
Educational Requirements
A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required to begin apprenticing as an interior designer, though those with an associate's degree can work as assistants. Individuals will study a variety of topics during the four year that it typically takes to earn a bachelor's degree. Some individual's will also take on internship opportunities or seek employment during the course of their education in order to augment their studies with practical experience. Interior design requires an understanding of several different fields often reflected in a typical curriculum.
Interior design majors will have varied courses which may include:
- Architecture
- Furniture Design
- Psychology
- Illustration
- Spatial Planning
After graduating, designers will be able to pursue apprenticeships that may last between 1-3 years prior to a graduate practicing interior design. Most states require licensing and the exam is administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, requiring 6 years of combined education and experience and at least 2 years of post secondary education. Accreditation bodies for programs include the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
Employment Opportunities and Certification
Interior designers will work with architects to assist in the designing or remodeling of a space. This will be done based on client's desires and realized through a process of sketching and modeling utilizing a variety of mediums. An understanding of costs and planning is necessary to determine the length of time and materials necessary to realize the client's visions. The use of computer aided design (CAD) software is commonplace among interior designers and proficiency in its use is a requirement for success.
Individuals may specialize in a particular type of architecture and design, utilizing motifs from a particular time period to establish a style or mood. Others may specialize in a particular type of building or buildings, such as offices, hospitals or hotels. The variety of specializations available to interior designers is many, and allows for flexibility. Some may choose to be sustainable designers, focusing on efficiency of resources to maintain more environmentally friendly spaces, or may focus entirely on lighting and how such fixtures may affect the atmosphere of a room. Often times, such interior designers will work with one another, each focusing on his or her specialty in order to produce a final design.
Interior designers may pursue certifications to expand their area of expertise. Such certifications are generally available through trade or professional associations and demonstrate proficiency in a particular area of design, such as kitchens closets. Interior designers with such certification may find themselves in higher demand due to their ability to focus on a larger area of design. By earning such certifications and renewing them as needed individuals will be able to build client confidence, with successful designs in those areas adding to one's portfolio and increasing a demand for their work.
Job Growth, Salary and Related Fields
Work opportunities are available for interior designers and the field is expected to expand in the coming years as demand increases. Work environments will widely vary as locations for jobs will change. The average salary of an interior designer is approximately $45,000 per year. Entry level positions will start around $26,000. Interior design is a competitive profession requiring determination, skill, innovation and experience to progress and succeed.
If you are interested in interior design, you may also be interested in illustration, fashion and apparel design, and graphic design.
Top Schools That Offer an Interior Design Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Abilene Christian University | |
- Abilene, TX
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| Academy of Art University | |
- San Francisco, CA
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| Adrian College | |
- Adrian, MI
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| Ai Miami International University of Art and Design | |
- Miami, FL
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| Anderson University | |
- Anderson, SC
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| Appalachian State University | |
- Boone, NC
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| Arcadia University | |
- Glenside, PA
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| Auburn University | |
- Auburn University, AL
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| Baker College of Flint | |
- Flint, MI
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| Bauder College | |
- Atlanta, GA
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| Baylor University | |
- Waco, TX
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| Becker College | |
- Worcester, MA
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| Bellevue Community College | |
- Bellevue, WA
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| Berkeley College-Woodland Park | |
- Woodland Park, NJ
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| Brenau University | |
- Gainesville, GA
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| Brigham Young University - Idaho | |
- Rexburg, ID
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| Brown College-Mendota Heights | |
- Mendota Heights, MN
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| California State University - Long Beach | |
- Long Beach, CA
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| California State University - Sacramento | |
- Sacramento, CA
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| Cazenovia College | |
- Cazenovia, NY
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| Chaminade University of Honolulu | |
- Honolulu, HI
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| Cleveland Institute of Art | |
- Cleveland, OH
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| College for Creative Studies | |
- Detroit, MI
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| College of Mount St. Joseph | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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| College of Southern Nevada | |
- Las Vegas, NV
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| Colorado State University | |
- Fort Collins, CO
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| Columbia College Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Columbus College of Art and Design | |
- Columbus, OH
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| Concordia University - Wisconsin | |
- Mequon, WI
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| Converse College | |
- Spartanburg, SC
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| Corcoran College of Art and Design | |
- Washington, DC
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| Design Institute of San Diego | |
- San Diego, CA
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| Drexel University | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Dunwoody College of Technology | |
- Minneapolis, MN
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| East Carolina University | |
- Greenville, NC
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| East Tennessee State University | |
- Johnson City, TN
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| Eastern Michigan University | |
- Ypsilanti, MI
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| Endicott College | |
- Beverly, MA
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| Fashion Institute of Technology | |
- New York, NY
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| Ferris State University | |
- Big Rapids, MI
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| Florida International University | |
- Miami, FL
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| Florida State University | |
- Tallahassee, FL
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| George Washington University | |
- Washington, DC
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| Georgia Southern University | |
- Statesboro, GA
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| Harding University | |
- Searcy, AR
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| Harrington College of Design | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Hesser College | |
- Manchester, NH
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| High Point University | |
- High Point, NC
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| Howard University | |
- Washington, DC
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| Indiana University - Bloomington | |
- Bloomington, IN
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| Indiana University - Purdue University - Fort Wayne | |
- Fort Wayne, IN
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| Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis | |
- Indianapolis, IN
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| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | |
- Indiana, PA
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| Indiana Wesleyan University | |
- Marion, IN
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| Interior Designers Institute | |
- Newport Beach, CA
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| International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa | |
- Tampa, FL
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| International Academy of Design and Technology-Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Iowa State University | |
- Ames, IA
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| Kansas State University | |
- Manhattan, KS
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| Kean University | |
- Union, NJ
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| Kent State University - Kent Campus | |
- Kent, OH
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| Lawrence Technological University | |
- Southfield, MI
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| Living Arts College | |
- Raleigh, NC
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| Madison Area Technical College | |
- Madison, WI
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| Maryland Institute College of Art | |
- Baltimore, MD
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| Marylhurst University | |
- Marylhurst, OR
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| Marymount University | |
- Arlington, VA
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| Maryville University of Saint Louis | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Marywood University | |
- Scranton, PA
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| Mercyhurst College | |
- Erie, PA
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| Meredith College | |
- Raleigh, NC
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| Michigan State University | |
- East Lansing, MI
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| Middle Tennessee State University | |
- Murfreesboro, TN
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| Montana State University | |
- Bozeman, MT
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| Moore College of Art and Design | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Mount Ida College | |
- Newton, MA
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| Mount Mary College | |
- Milwaukee, WI
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| New England Institute of Technology | |
- Warwick, RI
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| New York Institute of Technology - Old Westbury | |
- Old Westbury, NY
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| New York School of Interior Design | |
- New York, NY
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| Newbury College - Brookline | |
- Brookline, MA
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| North Dakota State University | |
- Fargo, ND
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| Northern Arizona University | |
- Flagstaff, AZ
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| O'more College of Design | |
- Franklin, TN
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| Ohio State University | |
- Columbus, OH
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| Oregon State University | |
- Corvallis, OR
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| Park University | |
- Parkville, MO
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| Point Loma Nazarene University | |
- San Diego, CA
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| Pratt Institute - Main | |
- Brooklyn, NY
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| Queens University of Charlotte | |
- Charlotte, NC
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| Ringling College of Art and Design | |
- Sarasota, FL
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| Robert Morris University Illinois | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Rochester Institute of Technology | |
- Rochester, NY
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| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | |
- Denver, CO
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| Salem College | |
- Winston Salem, NC
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| Samford University | |
- Birmingham, AL
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| San Francisco State University | |
- San Francisco, CA
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| San Jose State University | |
- San Jose, CA
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| Savannah College of Art and Design | |
- Savannah, GA
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| School of Visual Arts | |
- New York, NY
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| Seattle Pacific University | |
- Seattle, WA
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| Seminole State College of Florida | |
- Sanford, FL
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| South Dakota State University | |
- Brookings, SD
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| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | |
- Carbondale, IL
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| Southwest Florida College | |
- Fort Myers, FL
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| Stephens College | |
- Columbia, MO
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| Stevens Institute of Business & Arts | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Suffolk University | |
- Boston, MA
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| Sullivan College of Technology and Design | |
- Louisville, KY
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| Texas Christian University | |
- Fort Worth, TX
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| Texas State University - San Marcos | |
- San Marcos, TX
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| The Art Center Design College - Tucson | |
- Tucson, AZ
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| The Art Institute of Atlanta | |
- Atlanta, GA
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| The Art Institute of Colorado | |
- Denver, CO
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| The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale | |
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
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| The Art Institute of Houston | |
- Houston, TX
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| The Art Institute of Philadelphia | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| The Art Institute of Phoenix | |
- Phoenix, AZ
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| The Art Institute of Pittsburgh | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| The Art Institute of Portland | |
- Portland, OR
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| The Art Institute of Seattle | |
- Seattle, WA
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| The Art Institutes International-Minnesota | |
- Minneapolis, MN
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| The Art Institutes of York - Pennsylvania | |
- York, PA
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| The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles | |
- Los Angeles, CA
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| The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| The New England Institute of Art | |
- Brookline, MA
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| The University of Alabama | |
- Tuscaloosa, AL
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| The University of Tennessee | |
- Knoxville, TN
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| The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | |
- Chattanooga, TN
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| The University of Texas at Austin | |
- Austin, TX
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| University of Arkansas | |
- Fayetteville, AR
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| University of Bridgeport | |
- Bridgeport, CT
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| University of Central Arkansas | |
- Conway, AR
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| University of Central Missouri | |
- Warrensburg, MO
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| University of Central Oklahoma | |
- Edmond, OK
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| University of Charleston | |
- Charleston, WV
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| University of Cincinnati | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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| University of Florida | |
- Gainesville, FL
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| University of Idaho | |
- Moscow, ID
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| University of Kentucky | |
- Lexington, KY
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| University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
- Amherst, MA
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| University of Memphis | |
- Memphis, TN
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| University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | |
- Minneapolis, MN
| Tuition and Fees
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| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | |
- Greensboro, NC
| Tuition and Fees
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| University of Northern Iowa | |
- Cedar Falls, IA
| Tuition and Fees
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| University of Oklahoma Norman Campus | |
- Norman, OK
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| University of the Incarnate Word | |
- San Antonio, TX
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| University of Wisconsin - Madison | |
- Madison, WI
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| University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | |
- Stevens Point, WI
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| Ursuline College | |
- Pepper Pike, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Utah State University | |
- Logan, UT
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| Valdosta State University | |
- Valdosta, GA
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| Virginia College - Birmingham | |
- Birmingham, AL
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| Virginia Commonwealth University | |
- Richmond, VA
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| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | |
- Blacksburg, VA
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| Washington State University | |
- Pullman, WA
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| Watkins College of Art Design & Film | |
- Nashville, TN
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| Weber State University | |
- Ogden, UT
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| Wentworth Institute of Technology | |
- Boston, MA
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| Western Carolina University | |
- Cullowhee, NC
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| Western Michigan University | |
- Kalamazoo, MI
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| Westwood College - Denver North | |
- Denver, CO
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| Westwood College - Los Angeles | |
- Los Angeles, CA
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| Westwood College - O'hare Airport | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Westwood College - South Bay | |
- Torrance, CA
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| Winthrop University | |
- Rock Hill, SC
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Community Colleges
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | |
- Alexandria, MN
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| American River College | |
- Sacramento, CA
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| Antelope Valley College | |
- Lancaster, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Arapahoe Community College | |
- Littleton, CO
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| Canada College | |
- Redwood City, CA
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| Cape Fear Community College | |
- Wilmington, NC
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| Central Piedmont Community College | |
- Charlotte, NC
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| Century College | |
- White Bear Lake, MN
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| Chaffey College | |
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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| Clover Park Technical College | |
- Lakewood, WA
| Tuition and Fees
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| College of Dupage | |
- Glen Ellyn, IL
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| Cuyahoga Community College District | |
- Cleveland, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Dakota County Technical College | |
- Rosemount, MN
| Tuition and Fees
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| Delgado Community College | |
- New Orleans, LA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Delta College | |
- University Center, MI
| Tuition and Fees
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| El Paso Community College | |
- El Paso, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Fox Valley Technical College | |
- Appleton, WI
| Tuition and Fees
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| Fullerton College | |
- Fullerton, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Gateway Technical College | |
- Kenosha, WI
| Tuition and Fees
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| Gwinnett Technical College | |
- Lawrenceville, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Harford Community College | |
- Bel Air, MD
| Tuition and Fees
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| Harper College | |
- Palatine, IL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Johnson County Community College | |
- Overland Park, KS
| Tuition and Fees
|
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| Kirkwood Community College | |
- Cedar Rapids, IA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Lanier Technical College | |
- Oakwood, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Lone Star College - Montgomery | |
- The Woodlands, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Mesa Community College | |
- Mesa, AZ
| Tuition and Fees
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| Milwaukee Area Technical College | |
- Milwaukee, WI
| Tuition and Fees
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| Monroe Community College | |
- Rochester, NY
| Tuition and Fees
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| Montgomery College | |
- Rockville, MD
| Tuition and Fees
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| Moorpark College | |
- Moorpark, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Northern Virginia Community College | |
- Annandale, VA
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| Oakland Community College | |
- Bloomfield Hills, MI
| Tuition and Fees
|
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| Orange Coast College | |
- Costa Mesa, CA
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| Pellissippi State Community College | |
- Knoxville, TN
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| Phoenix College | |
- Phoenix, AZ
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| Pikes Peak Community College | |
- Colorado Springs, CO
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| Portland Community College | |
- Portland, OR
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| Red Rocks Community College | |
- Lakewood, CO
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| Saddleback College | |
- Mission Viejo, CA
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| Saint Louis Community College - Forest Park | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| San Diego Mesa College | |
- San Diego, CA
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| San Jacinto College | |
- Pasadena, TX
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| Santa Monica College | |
- Santa Monica, CA
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| Scottsdale Community College | |
- Scottsdale, AZ
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| Sinclair Community College | |
- Dayton, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Spokane Falls Community College | |
- Spokane, WA
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| Tidewater Community College | |
- Norfolk, VA
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| Waukesha County Technical College | |
- Pewaukee, WI
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| West Valley College | |
- Saratoga, CA
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Career Colleges
| American Institute of Interior Design | |
- Fountain Hills, AZ
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Antonelli College-Cincinnati | |
- Cincinnati, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Antonelli College-Hattiesburg | |
- Hattiesburg, MS
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| Antonelli College-Jackson | |
- Jackson, MS
| Tuition and Fees
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| Cabell County Career Technology Center | |
- Huntington, WV
| Tuition and Fees
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| Clary Sage College | |
- Tulsa, OK
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| Davis College | |
- Toledo, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Delaware College of Art and Design | |
- Wilmington, DE
| Tuition and Fees
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| East Valley Institute of Technology | |
- Mesa, AZ
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| Harcum College | |
- Bryn Mawr, PA
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| Latter - Day Saints Business College | |
- Salt Lake City, UT
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| The Art Institute of New York City | |
- New York, NY
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| Virginia College - Mobile | |
- Mobile, AL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Virginia Marti College of Art and Design | |
- Lakewood, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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