From App State to HPU: 10 of the Best Interior Design Programs in North Carolina

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Whether you’re a recent high school graduate exploring creative career paths or a mid-career professional looking to switch industries, North Carolina has an impressive range of interior design programs that can support your goals. From residential to non-residential interior design, from foundational coursework to advanced study, students will find programs with strong graduation rates, access to industry professionals, and excellent job placement support. Below, we spotlight 10 of the top interior design programs in North Carolina and explore which interior design accreditation matters most if you want to become a registered interior designer.

10 of the Best Interior Design Programs in North Carolina

#1 Appalachian State University (App State)

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA, NASAD

This CIDA-accredited program emphasizes sustainable design solutions within the built environment. The curriculum content includes residential and non-residential interior design projects, architectural drafting, and computer-aided design (CAD).

Students also complete general education courses and develop professional practices such as business ethics, sales positions, and client presentations. App State prepares students with the technical knowledge and aesthetic principles needed to enter the interior design profession or pursue graduate programs.

What Redditors Say: A Reddit user described App State’s interior design program as a rigorous five-year commitment, regardless of prior general education credits. They noted it as challenging, time-intensive, and requiring significant investment in materials, but ultimately rewarding and top-notch in preparing students for a design career.

Learn More: https://interiordesign.appstate.edu/

#2 East Carolina University (ECU)

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA, NASAD

Located in Greenville, ECU offers an interior design program rooted in basic design principles and critical thinking. Curriculum content includes residential interior design, color theory, showroom design, and interior architecture. Students receive a broad-based education that incorporates general education courses, graphic presentations, and design gallery critiques. The program prepares students for the NCIDQ exam and fosters connections with professional interior design organizations.

Learn More: https://degrees.ecu.edu/bs/interior%20design/

#3 High Point University (HPU)

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

Located in the furniture hub of North Carolina, High Point University offers one of the best CIDA-accredited interior design programs in the state. Interior design students benefit from hands-on experience, exposure to home furnishings markets, and coursework that includes CAD, universal design, and interior design business practices. The faculty includes seasoned professionals, and students frequently participate in lecture classes, internships, and design firm partnerships.

Learn More: https://www.highpoint.edu/interiordesign/

#4 Meredith College

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

As the only CIDA-accredited program in the Triangle region, Meredith College offers interior design students a balanced mix of lecture classes, studio work, and professional practices. The curriculum includes residential and commercial design, project coordinator training, and preparation for the NCIDQ interior design qualification examination. Meredith emphasizes student success through small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and access to national association networks.

Learn More: https://www.meredith.edu/interior-design/

#5 Queens University of Charlotte

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture and Design
Accreditation: CIDA

This interior architecture program blends aesthetic principles with technical knowledge. Curriculum content includes furniture history, architectural drawing, advanced CAD, color theory, and universal design. Queens students engage in local internships, community design solutions, and study abroad opportunities. Graduates leave with both interior design and architectural fluency—a unique strength in today’s competitive job market.

Learn More: https://www.queens.edu/artsci/interior-architecture-design/

#6 UNC Greensboro

Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture
Accreditation: CIDA, NASAD

UNC Greensboro’s program promotes critical thinking and emphasizes design solutions that serve psychological, ecological, and social well-being. Students develop skills in materials research, architectural drafting, CAD, and graphic presentation. The program’s strong focus on professional interior design organizations and community engagement makes it one of the top choices for students committed to shaping meaningful, sustainable interiors.

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What Redditors Say: Prospective transfer students expressed interest in UNCG’s Interior Architecture program, seeking advice on the secondary application process. Applicants should understand that there is a level of competitiveness and specific requirements for admission. ​However, the responding Redditor said that, “They want to see your skill and your potential. Don’t worry about the technical things…Just be creative.”

Learn More: https://www.uncg.edu/degrees/interior-architecture-b-f-a/

#7 Western Carolina University (WCU)

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

WCU’s interior design degree emphasizes both technical skill development and creative exploration. Students learn business practices, space planning, color theory, and furnishings specification.

The program also features a capstone project, offering real-world experience in commercial design and residential interior design. Graduates are prepared to pursue NCIDQ exam eligibility and job opportunities in design firms or as independent interior designers.

Learn More: https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/fpa/artdesign/undergraduate-programs/ides.aspx

#8 North Carolina State University (NC State)

Degree: Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture

While not an interior design degree per se, NC State’s architecture program offers foundational skills for students interested in set design, interior architecture, or environmental design. The curriculum includes general education courses, studio work, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Many transfer students choose this path as preparation for graduate programs in interior design.

Learn More: https://design.ncsu.edu/

#9 Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)

Degree: Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design

CPCC’s two-year interior design program provides technical training in AutoCAD, architectural drafting, and graphic presentations. Ideal for students looking to enter the workforce quickly or transfer into a four-year school, this program balances studio and lecture classes with practical job placement support. Coursework includes both residential and non-residential interior design.

Learn More: https://www.cpcc.edu/programs/interior-design

#10 Cape Fear Community College (CFCC)

Degree: Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design

This North Carolina community college offers a well-rounded interior design program focused on technical and professional development. Students study materials, color theory, furnishings, and space planning, along with business practices and showroom design. With high graduation rates and strong industry connections, CFCC prepares students for career opportunities in both residential and commercial design.

Learn More: https://cfcc.edu/interior-design/

Which Programs Best Prepare You for a Career in Interior Design?

While all ten of these interior design programs in North Carolina provide valuable training, a few stand out for students seeking a clear path to certification and career advancement. If your goal is to become a registered interior designer, focus on a CIDA-accredited program that fulfills the educational requirement for the NCIDQ exam—the interior design qualification examination administered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ).

Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, and High Point University consistently deliver strong outcomes for students preparing to enter the interior design profession. These schools offer comprehensive curriculum content, including residential interior design, non-residential interior design, computer-aided design, and professional practices like business management and sales presentations. Each program also offers strong support for job placement through industry partnerships and mentorships with professional organizations.

Meredith College and UNC Greensboro are also top picks for students interested in universal design, sustainability, and social impact. If you’re seeking a blend of technical knowledge, aesthetic principles, and graphic presentations, these programs offer thoughtful, holistic training.

For those interested in entering the workforce quickly or transferring to a four-year institution, CPCC and CFCC provide strong associate-level training. Their curriculum content includes residential and commercial design, CAD, color theory, and showroom design—ideal for aspiring project coordinators, set designers, or those pursuing career opportunities in home furnishings or design firms.

Do You Need to Be Licensed to Practice Interior Design in North Carolina?

North Carolina uses a title act, which means you don’t need a license to practice interior design, but you do need one to legally use the title “Registered Interior Designer.” Registration is managed by the North Carolina Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers (NCBARCHID).

To become a registered interior designer in North Carolina, students must:

• Complete a CIDA-accredited interior design program
• Accumulate qualifying work experience under a licensed or registered designer
• Pass the NCIDQ exam

While registration is voluntary, it often opens doors to commercial design opportunities, higher-level sales positions, and independent practice rights like stamping drawings for permitting. If you’re serious about pursuing interior design as a long-term profession, especially in more regulated or technical areas of the built environment, registration is a smart career move.