6 Best Interior Design Schools in Cincinnati, OH

The University of Cincinnati is a large public university located in Cincinnati.

Its College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, usually called DAAP, is one of the best-known design schools in the region.

This is the strongest local option for students who want a full interior design degree with studio work, professional preparation, portfolio development, and built-in work experience.

Programs Offered

UC offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design through the School of Architecture and Interior Design.

The program includes interior design studios, space planning, design theory, furniture, lighting, materials, building systems, technical drawing, digital design, sustainability, codes, professional practice, and portfolio work.

One major feature is the co-op structure.

Interior design students complete multiple full-time co-op semesters, giving them professional experience before graduation.

Students interested in professional certification should ask the department how the program supports NCIDQ exam preparation and Ohio interior design credential requirements.

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, UC costs depend on residency, fees, housing, course load, and supplies.

Ohio resident students should expect tuition and fees to cost several thousand dollars per semester, while out-of-state students usually pay much more.

Interior design students should also budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for studio materials, software, printing, a laptop, models, books, and portfolio development.

Program Length

The BS in Interior Design is commonly structured as a 5-year program because of the required co-op semesters.

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a public technical and community college located in Cincinnati.

It is a practical option for students who want lower-cost design-related training without starting immediately in a 4-year university.

Cincinnati State does not operate like a full interior design studio school, but its architectural technology and online residential design options can be useful for interior design students.

Programs Offered

Cincinnati State offers a Civil Engineering Technology Architectural Major.

The program prepares students for support roles in architectural and engineering firms and includes building design, architectural systems, drafting, technical documentation, mechanical and electrical building systems, and lighting systems.

For students interested in interior design, this route is useful for learning how buildings are documented and how interior spaces connect to construction, systems, and plans.

It is more technical than decorating-focused, so students who want textiles, furniture, residential styling, and studio interiors should compare it with UC or a dedicated interior design degree.

Tuition and Cost

Cincinnati State tuition for Ohio residents can be around $190 to $200 per credit before additional course and lab fees.

A 60-credit associate degree may cost roughly $12,000 before books, supplies, software, and fees.

Students should also budget about $500 to $1,500 per year for books, drafting materials, software access, technology fees, and printing.

Program Length

The architectural major is usually about 2 years for full-time students.

Cincinnati State also offers online career training that can be useful for students who want a flexible interior design option without commuting to campus.

This is best for beginners, homeowners, career changers, decorators, and students who want a residential-focused program rather than a full university degree.

Programs Offered

The Certified Residential Interior Designer course focuses on residential interiors.

Students may study space planning, color, furniture, materials, lighting, client needs, design process, business basics, and preparation for residential interior design credentials.

This option is more focused on residential design than commercial interiors or interior architecture.

It should not be treated as the same thing as a bachelor’s degree, and students interested in professional certification should confirm whether it fits their long-term goals.

Tuition and Cost

Online residential interior design training often costs about $2,000 to $3,000.

Students may also need to budget about $100 to $500 for books, optional materials, internet access, and a capable computer.

Software costs depend on the course requirements and whether the student chooses to practice with design tools outside the course.

Program Length

The course is usually about 160 hours and self-paced.

Many students complete it in about 6 to 12 months.

Miami University is a public university in Oxford, Ohio, about 45 minutes north of Cincinnati.

It is one of the strongest nearby options for students who want a full interior design degree while staying within southwest Ohio.

The program is housed in the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, which makes it a good fit for students interested in interior spaces, architecture, studio work, and professional design preparation.

Programs Offered

Miami University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

The program includes design studios, design communication, drawing, technical documentation, materials, finishes, furniture, lighting, building systems, environmental design, history, and professional practice.

Students can expect a more complete design education than they would get from a short certificate.

The program is especially relevant for students who want portfolio development and a professional undergraduate degree.

Students interested in NCIDQ or other credentials should ask how the curriculum supports exam and experience requirements.

Tuition and Cost

Miami University is a public university, but costs vary by residency, housing, fees, and course load.

Ohio residents usually pay less than out-of-state students.

Full-time students should expect tuition and fees to cost several thousand dollars per semester.

Interior design students should also budget about $1,000 to $2,500 per year for studio supplies, software, laptop requirements, printing, models, books, and portfolio materials.

Program Length

The BFA in Interior Design is usually a 4-year program.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private art and design college located in Cincinnati.

It does not offer a traditional interior design degree, but it can be relevant for students who want a broader art and design foundation before moving into interiors, furniture, spatial design, display design, or graduate study.

It is best for students who want a creative studio environment rather than a technical interiors program.

Programs Offered

The Art Academy offers Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in areas such as Design, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture.

Students in design-related pathways can build skills in visual communication, composition, color, concept development, digital tools, presentation, and portfolio development.

For interior design students, this is most useful as a creative foundation route.

It does not replace a direct interior design degree because it does not focus specifically on space planning, building codes, lighting, furniture systems, and construction documents.

Tuition and Cost

As a private art college, the Art Academy usually costs more than a community college.

Students should expect annual tuition to be in the tens of thousands of dollars before housing, fees, books, and supplies.

Art and design students should also budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for materials, software, printing, tools, and portfolio work.

Program Length

Bachelor’s degree programs are usually 4 years.

The University of Kentucky is a public university in Lexington, about 90 minutes south of Cincinnati.

It is not in Cincinnati, but it is a relevant regional option for students willing to relocate or commute occasionally for a full interior design degree.

The program is part of the UK’s College of Design and is a strong choice for students who want a studio-based interior environments program.

Programs Offered

UK offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interiors: Planning, Strategy, Design.

The program focuses on interior spaces, planning, human-centered design, materials, finishes, sustainability, building systems, digital design, and design research.

This program is broader than basic decorating.

Students work on interior environments, spatial strategy, design thinking, and presentation.

It can be a good fit for students who want to study interiors as part of a larger design and architecture college.

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, costs vary by residency, fees, housing, and course load. Kentucky residents usually pay less than out-of-state students.

Cincinnati students from Ohio should pay close attention to nonresident tuition and any regional tuition agreements that may apply.

Students should also budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for studio supplies, software, printing, laptop needs, books, and portfolio materials.

Program Length

The BFA is usually a 4-year program.