Interior Architecture: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Interior Architecture is a specialized field focused on the design and planning of functional, safe, and aesthetically compelling interior spaces within buildings. This program equips students with the technical and creative expertise needed to shape environments for residential, commercial, and recreational use, integrating structural integrity with human-centered design. Graduates are prepared to work as licensed interior architects, contributing to projects from concept to completion.
- Architecture fundamentals: Core principles of architectural theory, spatial organization, and building typologies that inform interior design at a structural level.
- Structural systems design: Understanding load-bearing elements, material behavior, and spatial constraints to ensure safe and efficient interior layouts.
- Environmental systems integration: Knowledge of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and their influence on interior space planning and comfort.
- Occupational and safety standards: Compliance with building codes, accessibility regulations (such as ADA), fire safety, and workplace health protocols in design solutions.
- Interior design methodology: Application of visual composition, lighting, material selection, and spatial experience to enhance functionality and user well-being.
- End-use application specialization: Tailored design approaches for specific environments, including healthcare facilities, educational institutions, retail spaces, and multi-family housing.
- Professional responsibilities and ethics: Training in project management, client communication, documentation standards, and legal frameworks governing the practice of interior architecture.
Interior Architecture Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Interior Architecture Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Interior Architecture degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary and Interior Designers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 289,040 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1031 | $101,480 | $59,590 - $166,720 | 9,120 | N/A |
| Interior Designers 27-1025 | $63,490 | $38,480 - $106,090 | 69,580 | $30.52 |
Interior Architecture Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $87,367 in Mississippi to $152,290 in Alaska—a 74% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 289,040 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Interior Architecture by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 43 institutions offering Interior Architecture programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Interior Architecture is found at Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (50 graduates), California State University, Sacramento (44 graduates), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (40 graduates), Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) (37 graduates), and University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (35 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 756 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
50 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Master's
|
29 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Chatham University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | chatham.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Boston Architectural College (BAC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | the-bac.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| La Roche University (LRU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | laroche.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
15 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Marywood University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
|
14 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Mount Mary University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | mtmary.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| California College of the Arts (CCA) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | San Francisco, California | Private | cca.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Master's
|
11 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | miad.edu |
| University of North Alabama (UNA) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Florence, Alabama | Public | una.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Master's
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Anderson University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Anderson, South Carolina | Private | andersonuniversity.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
5 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Lawrence Technological University (LTU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Southfield, Michigan | Private | ltu.edu |
| Woodbury University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Burbank, California | Private | woodbury.edu |
| Manchester Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | mccnh.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Interior Architecture programs
How much can I earn with a Interior Architecture degree?
Salaries for Interior Architecture graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,480. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $152,290 compared to $87,367 in Mississippi. Approximately 289,040 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Interior Architecture programs?
Currently 43 accredited institutions offer Interior Architecture degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (50 graduates), California State University, Sacramento (44 graduates), and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (40 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Interior Architecture growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 980 in 2010 to 756 in 2023-24. This represents a 23% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Interior Architecture degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, and Interior Designers. Related occupations employ approximately 289,040 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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