
Masters in Interior Design in USA
The USA is a residence of some of the world's top-ranked educational institutions. Many recognised colleges and universities in America offer diploma and degree courses in design. Interior designing is one of its specialisations.
Table of Contents
- Masters in Interior Design in USA: Course Highlights
- Why One Should Study Masters in Interior Design in USA?
- Best Universities in USA for Masters in Interior Design
- Cost of Studying Masters in Interior Design in USA
- Tuition Fees
- Cost of Living in USA
- Masters in Interior Design in USA: Eligibility Criteria
- Exams Required to Study Masters in Interior Design in USA
- Scholarships for Masters in Interior Design in USA
- Career after Masters in Interior Design in USA
- TOP Recruiters
- How to Apply for Masters in Interior Design in USA?
Masters in Interior Design in USA: Course Highlights
Program |
postgraduate |
Course |
Interior Design |
Duration of the Course |
2 years |
Eligibility |
2.5 to 3.0 UG CGPA, TOEFL, iBT, IELTS, resume, design portfolio, work experience and GRE |
Entrance Exams |
TOEFL iBT or IELTS, and GRE |
Jobs |
Bath designer, kitchen designer, sustainable designer, etc. |
Tuition Fees |
Around 988469 INR |
Average Salary |
98459 USD. |
Why One Should Study Masters in Interior Design in USA?
- The USA is residence to around 1.1 million overseas students.
- The education system in the USA is one of the top in the world.
- If you pursue a master's in Interior Design degree from the USA gives you an excellent opportunity to achieve hands-on practical experience on multiple projects and architectural execution.
- You can also work with leading interior designers or companies in the USA while pursuing your Masters in interior design.
- Pursuing Masters in Interior Design in America will open career pathways for you in the nation.
- As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), art and design careers are estimated to grow by 3 % from 2018 to 2028, opening around 96800 new jobs.
- In 2020, 24 design colleges in the United States of America ranked among the top 100 art and design institutions globally as per the QS World University Rankings.
Best Universities in USA for Masters in Interior Design
S.NO |
University Name |
QS World Ranking |
`City |
1 |
The University of North Texas |
Between 1001 and 1200 |
Denton |
2 |
The University of Cincinnati |
Between 601 and 650 |
Cincinnati |
3 |
The University of Florida |
173 |
Gainesville |
4 |
The University of Kentucky |
Between 651 and 700 |
Lexington |
5 |
The University of Oklahoma |
Between 651 and 700 |
Norman |
6 |
Arizona State University |
216 |
Tempe |
7 |
Iowa State University |
494 |
Ames |
8 |
Virginia Commonwealth University |
Between 701 and 750 |
Richmond |
Cost of Studying Masters in Interior Design in USA
The United States of America's colleges are funded solely based on students' tuition fees. That's why they charge a higher education cost than other nations. Colleges and universities in the USA are either public or private. Usually, public colleges are funded by the state government, thus having a lower fee. On the other hand, private colleges have a higher cost, but they make it accessible by offering students scholarships.
Tuition Fees
S.NO |
University Name |
Course |
Duration |
Tuition Fees in INR |
1 |
The University of North Texas |
MFA in Interior Design |
NA |
NA |
2 |
The University of Cincinnati |
Master of Interior Design |
NA |
NA |
3 |
The University of Florida |
Masters in Interior Design |
Between 1 and 3 years |
988469 |
4 |
The University of Kentucky |
Interior Design – Graduate |
2 years |
NA |
5 |
The University of Oklahoma |
Master of Interior Design – First Professional |
NA |
NA |
6 |
Arizona State University |
Master of Interior Architecture |
2 years (a 3 years + 1 summer year program is also available) |
NA |
7 |
Iowa State University |
MA in Interior Design |
1.6 years |
NA |
8 |
Virginia Commonwealth University |
MFA in Interior Design |
2 years + 2 summers |
NA |
Cost of Living in USA
Besides your tuition fees and other study costs, you have to manage additional living costs for the USA, including transportation, accommodation, entertainment, etc. Therefore, knowing how to manage these expenses will help you efficiently live in America. The below table describes these categories for your reference.
Categories |
Amount in USD |
Accommodation |
200 per month |
Electricity |
20 per month |
Groceries |
150 per month |
International Calling Cards |
15 per month |
Home Internet |
15 per month |
Cell Phone |
50 per month |
Restaurant Meals |
75 per month |
Entertainment |
100 per month |
Car Insurance |
100 per month |
Petrol for Car |
75 per month |
Weekend Activities |
100 per month |
Shopping |
100 per month |
Masters in Interior Design in USA: Eligibility Criteria
- You need at least 2.5 CGPA in UG in design or related areas, although the preferred score is 3.0.
- You need to give a standard exam to prove your English language competency skills. TOEFL iBT and IELTS are examples of accepted exams in USA universities.
- You also need to submit a resume like you would for a job.
- You also need to have work experience (years vary with universities).
- You need to have strong excellence in the design sector.
- You need a design portfolio covering your previous design ventures, projects, internships, and other relevant activities.
- You must submit a Graduate Exam Record (GRE) score sheet. The preferred score is between 155 and 167. However, some universities may request a score of above 300.
- Though GRE is necessary to confirm your analytical thinking and verbal reasoning, your portfolio is more important. We mean that you will need more than a precise score on GRE to pursue Masters in Interior Design in America.
Exams Required to Study Masters in Interior Design in USA
Exam Name |
Minimum Band Requirement |
GRE |
Between 155 and 167 (some universities require above 300) |
IELTS |
Between 6.5 and 7.5 |
TOEFL iBT |
Between 90 and 100 |
Scholarships for Masters in Interior Design in USA
S.NO |
Scholarship Name |
Description |
Eligibility |
Amount in USD |
1 |
Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation |
It is a non-profit private industry –directed institution, which provides technical school UG and PG fellowship assistance to boys and girls interested in a career in the graphics communications sector |
Based on academic record, recommendations, and biographical records |
Between 1000 and 5000 |
2 |
Two Ten Footwear Design Scholarship |
The Two Ten offers scholarships options to any student who is studying design with a focus on footwear. Applicants are evaluated by financial requirements and design capability. |
Enrolled in an American university and 3 design drawings from a portfolio |
3000 |
3 |
National Customers Association Creative Event Scholarship |
This scholarship competition is open to the USA high school seniors and presently enrolled UG and PG students who present a costume design of any genre. Students must at least have a 2.75 grade point average |
PG course with 2.5 GPA and must be at least 17 years old |
1000 |
4 |
VCUarts Talent Scholarships |
These scholarships are awarded by the Virginia Commonwealth University |
Based on academic merit and artistic talent |
Between 5000 and 12000 |
5 |
Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program |
It offers a chance to graduate students, young professionals, and artists from numerous nations to study and carry out research in the USA |
Official transcripts, 3 LORs, filled online/paper application form, GRE scorecard, English language proficiency score sheet (TOEFL) (other criteria depends on the university) |
NA |
Career after Masters in Interior Design in USA
Job Profile |
Salary in USD |
Business Director |
47279 per year |
Project Manager |
104447 per year |
Senior Designer |
80876 per year |
Game Designer |
79282 per year |
Corporate Designer |
89950 per year |
Healthcare Designer |
62164 per year |
Kitchen Designer |
59212 per year |
Bath Designer |
Between 12773 and 341575 per year |
Sustainable Designer |
Between 72016 and 105000 per year |
TOP Recruiters
- The Structures Company, LLC.
- Renewal Remodels & Additions.
- All Natural Stone.
- Ware Malcomb.
- Clive Daniel Home.
How to Apply for Masters in Interior Design in USA?
If you have completed your Bachelors in Interior Design and wish to advance your skills with a master's degree in it.
In that case, this is the section you should carefully follow to apply for a Masters in Interior Design Program.
Step 1: Choose an intake in which you would like to apply for Masters's in Interior Design. America has three intakes – fall, spring, and summer.
Step 2: Go to the University of your Choice's Website and make a student account. You can apply directly online since we are discussing a master's degree.
Step 3: Fill in an application form and follow the next steps.
Step 4: Submit all your documents and pay the fees when prompted.
Step 5: If you receive an offer letter, prepare to fly to America. Otherwise, you can try one of these three options.
- Try again in the next year.
- You can try again in the next intake.
- You can plead your case with the university. It might change its decision when they see your will to learn at that university.
Step 6: Done
If you wish to apply to one of the top universities in the USA for a Masters's in Interior Design, AECC Global is here. Contact us today and fulfil your study abroad dreams.
AECC Global is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals who are ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey of fulfilling your dream.