7 Best Interior Design Schools in Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak State College is a public college located in Colorado Springs.

It is the most direct local option for students who want an interior design program without commuting to Denver or another city.

The school is a good fit for beginners who want an affordable, hands-on program with both creative and technical interior design coursework.

Programs Offered

Pikes Peak State College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design.

The program includes design fundamentals, drafting, space planning, textiles, finish materials, graphic communication, residential design, commercial design, sustainability, AutoCAD, Revit, and professional design skills.

Students also get exposure to hands-on projects and local professional experience.

This is useful for building a beginner portfolio and learning how interior design connects to real client needs, building layouts, materials, and technical drawings.

Tuition and Cost

As a public Colorado college, Pikes Peak State College is usually one of the more affordable options for local students.

Colorado resident tuition is commonly much lower than private school tuition.

A 60-credit associate degree may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees before books, supplies, software, and materials.

Students should budget about $500 to $2,000 per year for textbooks, drafting tools, design materials, printing, software access, portfolio work, and a capable computer.

Program Length

The AAS degree is usually about 2 years for full-time students.

Pikes Peak State College also offers a Computer-Aided Drafting program.

This is not the same as an interior design degree, but it is highly useful for students who want technical drawing and design software skills.

It can be a smart add-on for interior design students or a separate pathway for students more interested in CAD, drafting, and design documentation.

Programs Offered

The CAD program teaches students how to create 2D and 3D drawings and models using current drafting software.

Students may study AutoCAD, Revit, technical drawing, digital modeling, architectural drafting, and design documentation.

For interior design students, CAD skills are practical because designers often need to create floor plans, elevations, furniture layouts, reflected ceiling plans, and construction-related drawings.

This route is especially useful for students who want to work with architects, builders, kitchen and bath firms, cabinet companies, or design-build offices.

Tuition and Cost

A shorter CAD certificate may cost a few thousand dollars, depending on the number of credits.

Students should also budget for software, books, drafting supplies, lab fees, printing, and computer requirements.

A reasonable extra cost range is about $500 to $1,500 per year.

Program Length

Certificate options may take about 1 year or less.

Associate-level drafting options usually take about 2 years.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, usually called UCCS, is a public university in Colorado Springs.

It does not operate as a traditional interior design degree school, but it offers online interior design-related courses through continuing education.

This can be useful for local students who want a flexible, low-commitment introduction to design.

Programs Offered

UCCS offers online interior design basics and related career training courses.

Students may study space planning, color theory, materials, lighting, furniture, room planning, and residential design concepts.

These courses are better for beginners, hobbyists, homeowners, or students testing the field before committing to a longer program.

This option is not the same as a 2-year or 4-year interior design degree.

Students who want professional interior design preparation should compare it with Pikes Peak State College, Arapahoe Community College, Front Range Community College, or Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design.

Tuition and Cost

Short online courses may cost around $100 to a few hundred dollars.

More complete residential interior design training may cost about $2,000 to $3,000.

Students may also need a computer, internet access, books, optional design supplies, and possibly software, adding about $100 to $500 or more.

Program Length

Short introductory courses may take about 6 weeks.

More complete online residential design training may take about 6 to 12 months.

Arapahoe Community College is a public community college in Littleton, south of Denver, and about 60 to 70 miles from Colorado Springs.

It is one of the strongest nearby public college options for students who want a more complete interior design program.

This school may be worth the commute or relocation for students who want an affordable degree-based pathway.

Programs Offered

Arapahoe Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design.

The program includes residential and commercial design, design fundamentals, color, materials, drawing, space planning, kitchen and bath design, CAD, professional practice, and portfolio development.

ACC also offers certificate options, which may be useful for students who want targeted training before completing the full associate degree.

Students interested in professional certification should ask how the program supports NCIDQ, kitchen and bath design credentials, and Colorado-related professional requirements.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, ACC is generally less expensive than private colleges.

A 2-year associate degree may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, depending on residency and credit load.

Students should also budget about $500 to $2,000 per year for books, supplies, software, printing, samples, drafting tools, and portfolio materials.

Program Length

The AAS program is designed to take about 2.5 years.

Certificate options may take about 1 year or less.

Front Range Community College is a public college with campuses in the Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins areas.

It is not in Colorado Springs, but it is a relevant Colorado option for students who want an interior architecture and design program at a public college price.

It may be a good fit for students who want a degree or certificate focused on interiors, kitchen and bath design, and design fundamentals.

Programs Offered

Front Range offers an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Architecture and Design.

It also offers certificates in Interior Design Fundamentals and Kitchen and Bath Design.

Students may study design concepts, architecture, CAD, sketching, manual drafting, computer-generated presentation drawings, kitchen and bath planning, materials, finishes, and portfolio-related work.

This is a practical option for students who want career-focused training without choosing a private art school.

It is more directly related to interiors than a general CAD-only program.

Tuition and Cost

Public community college costs are usually moderate compared with private university tuition.

A certificate may cost a few thousand dollars, while an associate degree may cost more, depending on credit load and residency.

Students should budget about $500 to $2,000 per year for books, software, drafting materials, printing, design samples, and portfolio development.

Program Length

Certificates may take about 1 year or less.

The AAS degree is usually about 2 years for full-time students.

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is a private art and design college in Lakewood, near Denver.

It is farther from Colorado Springs, but it is one of the main Colorado options for students who want a bachelor’s degree in interior design through a dedicated creative college.

It may be a good fit for students who want a full design-school experience and are open to online or Denver-area study.

Programs Offered

RMCAD offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

Students study space planning, design theory, materials, building systems, lighting, sustainability, furniture, digital design, CAD, Revit, Adobe software, presentation, and portfolio development.

The program includes technology-focused training and access to design resources such as materials, computer labs, and drafting spaces.

This is a more intensive route than a short residential design certificate.

Tuition and Cost

RMCAD is a private college, so tuition is much higher than public community college options.

Tuition can be several hundred dollars per credit, and a full year can cost tens of thousands of dollars before housing, books, fees, and supplies.

Interior design students should also budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for software, laptop needs, studio supplies, printing, models, and portfolio work.

Program Length

The BFA is usually a 4-year program.

The University of Colorado Denver is a public university located in Denver.

It is not a traditional undergraduate interior design school for beginners, but it offers an Interior Design Certificate through its College of Architecture and Planning.

This can be useful for students who already have some design background or want a graduate-level interiors credential.

Programs Offered

CU Denver offers a Certificate in Interior Design focused on professional knowledge, applied skills, sustainability, health and wellness, human-centered interiors, critical thinking, creativity, and design for interior environments.

This option is best for students who want a more advanced or academically focused certificate connected to architecture and planning.

Beginners should ask about admission requirements and whether the program fits their current education level.

Tuition and Cost

CU Denver costs depend on residency, graduate or undergraduate status, credit load, and fees.

Students should expect public university tuition charged per credit, plus books, software, supplies, printing, and technology costs.

A certificate may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, with about $500 to $2,000 in additional materials and software expenses.

Program Length

The certificate length depends on credit requirements and course load.

Many certificate students complete it in about 1 year, though part-time students may take longer.