These Are the Best Interior Design Programs in the Midwest

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If you want to study interior design in the Midwest, skip the rankings roulette and start here. These are the five interior design programs that consistently rise to the top for their accreditation, studio culture, faculty, and job placement rates. Whether you’re a student just starting out or a mid-career professional making a change, each of these programs offers a strong foundation and clear path forward.

Let’s keep it simple. Here’s who’s worth your time.

Five Incredible Interior Design Schools — Midwest, USA

The University of Cincinnati

DAAP – College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Program: BS in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

Cincinnati’s DAAP program leads with how well it prepares students for the real world after graduation. This is a CIDA-accredited program with a built-in co-op structure, which means that interior design students alternate between classroom learning and full-time work with architectural firms and design studios across the country. Graduates leave with a portfolio and actual job experience, not just hypothetical projects on tracing paper.

The program prepares graduates for everything from space planning and sustainable design to technical solutions that meet building codes and support well being in interior environments. It’s not light work, but it’s one of the most respected bachelor-level programs in the country.

For students starting out, their co-op rotation is unmatched. For professionals returning to school or switching careers, be warned: this program is full-time, in-person, and rigorous. There’s no distance learning option yet. But if you’re in or near Cincinnati and ready to fully immerse, there are few better places to study interior design.

Kansas State University

Program: BS in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

K-State has a long tradition of producing polished, technically competent interior designers. The program leans into studio culture with an emphasis on design theory, sustainable design, professional practice, and interior space analysis. This is a four-year commitment that’s deeply focused on how design impacts the built environment, so plan accordingly.

Interior design students at K-State benefit from close-knit studios, faculty with active ties to professional interior design organizations, and an on-campus setting that prioritizes collaboration. The curriculum covers space planning, environmental design, materials, professional ethics, and preparation for the NCIDQ exam (administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification).

This program is built for students at the start of their careers. It’s in-person, hands-on, and requires full-time focus. There’s no online equivalent, but the classroom experience here is the point. Graduate school is a common next step, but many students land competitive jobs straight from the program.

Iowa State University

Program: BFA and MFA in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

Iowa State offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in interior design. The BFA provides the educational requirement to sit for the NCIDQ exam, and the MFA supports advanced study in interior environments, with research opportunities in sustainable design, human-centered design, and professional practice.

The interior design program here is highly structured and rooted in design theory, technical application, and creative development. From day one, students work in studios that mimic professional design firms. The curriculum emphasizes solving real-world problems, developing visual communication skills, and understanding the role of materials, building codes, and human behavior in the built environment.

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Both degrees are campus-based, not remote. So if you’re in Ames, or willing to move, you’ll have access to student activities, professional organizations, and mentorships that support both learning and career goals. Placement rates are strong, and the university’s connections with the National Council for Interior Design Education (CIDQ) and professional interior design organizations help graduates find roles in architecture and design firms quickly.

This is a smart pick for first-time students and those pivoting toward interior design after working in adjacent fields like art, architecture, or environmental studies.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison

Program: BS in Interior Architecture
Accreditation: CIDA

Madison’s interior architecture program splits the difference between traditional interior design and architectural education. It emphasizes technical skill, material research, and conceptual rigor. Students graduate with a bachelor’s degree that meets CIDA requirements and aligns with professional expectations across design firms.

You won’t just pick colors and textiles here. Expect to build models, study human behavior in interior space, and learn to critique design at both the conceptual and applied levels. Coursework covers everything from environmental design to building systems, and students leave with a portfolio that reflects both creativity and technical accuracy.

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This program is best suited to full-time students. There’s no remote learning track and very little wiggle room for part-time attendance. For students seeking strong fundamentals, a studio-centered education, and eventual licensure through the NCIDQ (Interior Design Qualification Examination) exam, Madison delivers a serious return on investment.

Purdue University

Program: BFA in Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA

Purdue’s interior design program sits at the intersection of design and engineering. It’s ideal for students who like structure, process, and evidence-based thinking. You’ll take courses in materials, lighting, space planning, sustainable design, and professional practice, all while learning how to translate conceptual ideas into built environments.

What sets Purdue apart is its commitment to research and technical training. Interior design students here are just as likely to study acoustics and airflow as they are to source fabrics and sketch room elevations. It’s a STEM-forward approach that appeals to students with analytical minds and a strong design instinct.

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The program prepares graduates for roles in architectural firms, commercial design, or advanced study. It’s a full-time, on-campus degree (no distance learning available yet), but the classroom setting supports deep focus, strong faculty connections, and numerous opportunities to join professional interior design organizations.

Purdue also benefits from a high graduation rate and strong job placement stats. If you’re serious about becoming a licensed interior designer and want a program leading to the NCIDQ exam, this is a smart choice.

Final Thoughts on Selecting the Right Interior Design Program for You

All five programs are CIDA-accredited, backed by the Higher Learning Commission, and deeply embedded in the professional interior design ecosystem. Whether your goal is to earn a bachelor’s, prep for the NCIDQ, or eventually pursue graduate programs, these schools offer quality, credibility, and clear routes into the field.

Ready to Start?

If you’re ready to create spaces that function as well as they feel, there’s no better place to begin than here.

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.