7 Best Interior Design Schools in Lafayette, LA

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public university located in Lafayette.

It is the strongest local option for students who want a full interior design degree without leaving the city.

The program is part of the School of Architecture and Design, which makes it a good fit for students who want interior design training connected to architecture, studio work, building systems, and professional design practice.

Programs Offered

UL Lafayette offers a Bachelor of Interior Design.

The program includes design studios, space planning, materials, lighting, furniture, building systems, sustainability, design communication, color, codes, and professional practice.

Students can expect studio projects, presentations, critiques, and portfolio development.

The program is more complete than a short decorating certificate because it includes both creative and technical interior design training. Students interested in professional certification should ask how the program supports NCIDQ exam preparation and Louisiana interior design registration requirements.

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, UL Lafayette is generally more affordable for Louisiana residents than private design schools.

Full-time students should expect tuition and fees to cost several thousand dollars per semester, depending on residency, course load, and fees.

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

Program Length

The Bachelor of Interior Design is usually a 4-year program.

South Louisiana Community College is a public community college based in Lafayette.

It is one of the most practical local options for students who want affordable technical design training.

SLCC does not operate as a traditional interior design school, but its drafting and design technology program is highly relevant for students interested in floor plans, CAD, architectural drawings, and construction documentation.

Programs Offered

SLCC offers an Associate of Applied Science in Drafting and Design Technology.

Students study manual drafting, computer-aided design, industrial drafting, architectural drafting, civil and structural drafting, technical drawing, and graphic communication.

For interior design students, this route can be useful because interior designers often work with drawings, plans, elevations, space layouts, and construction documents.

It is more technical than decorating-focused, so students who want furniture, textiles, lighting design, and studio interiors should compare it with UL Lafayette’s interior design degree.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, SLCC is usually one of the more affordable options in the Lafayette area.

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 $1,500 per year for books, drafting tools, software access, lab fees, printing, and computer needs.

Program Length

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

SLCC also offers shorter drafting and design-related certificate pathways.

These can be a good fit for students who do not want to commit to a full associate degree right away.

They may also work well for students who already have some design background but need stronger CAD or drafting skills.

Programs Offered

Certificate-level drafting coursework may include computer-aided design, technical drawing, architectural drafting, construction documents, and basic drafting standards.

Students can learn how to create accurate drawings and communicate design ideas in a format used by architecture, engineering, construction, and design offices.

For someone interested in interior design, a drafting certificate can help with floor plans, furniture layouts, kitchen and bath drawings, reflected ceiling plans, wall elevations, and basic project documentation.

Tuition and Cost

A shorter certificate usually costs less than a full associate degree.

Students may pay a few thousand dollars in tuition and fees, depending on the number of credits required.

Extra costs may include books, drafting supplies, software, lab fees, printing, and a reliable computer, usually around $500 to $1,500.

Program Length

Certificate options may take about 1 year or less, depending on course availability and whether the student attends full-time or part-time.

Louisiana State University is a public university in Baton Rouge, about 1 hour from Lafayette.

It is one of the strongest nearby options for students who want a full interior design degree and are willing to commute or relocate.

LSU’s School of Interior Design is part of the College of Art & Design, making it a strong choice for students who want professional-level studio training.

Programs Offered

LSU offers a Bachelor of Interior Design.

Students study interior design studios, design fundamentals, space planning, materials, finishes, lighting, furniture, building systems, health and safety, codes, sustainability, visual communication, and professional practice.

The program is designed for students who want a deeper interior design education than a short course or drafting-only program.

Students can expect portfolio-building projects, presentations, and studio critiques.

Students interested in professional credentials should ask how the program supports NCIDQ exam preparation and Louisiana registration requirements.

Tuition and Cost

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

Louisiana 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 $3,000 per year for software, laptop needs, studio supplies, printing, books, models, samples, and portfolio materials.

Program Length

The Bachelor of Interior Design is usually a 4-year program.

Baton Rouge Community College is a public community college in Baton Rouge, about 1 hour from Lafayette.

It is not a direct interior design degree school, but it is useful for students who want drafting, CAD, and design documentation training close to Lafayette.

It can be a practical option for students who want technical design skills at a lower cost than a university.

Programs Offered

BRCC offers Drafting and Design Technology.

The program teaches students how to prepare technical drawings and use drafting software for architecture, engineering, construction, and design-related work.

For interior design students, this type of program can help with floor plans, elevations, millwork drawings, kitchen and bath layouts, construction documents, and communication with architects or contractors.

Students who want a full interiors curriculum should compare BRCC with UL Lafayette or LSU.

Tuition and Cost

BRCC is generally more affordable than private design schools and most university programs.

A technical diploma or associate pathway may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, depending on credits and residency.

Students should also budget about $500 to $1,500 per year for books, CAD software access, lab fees, drafting tools, printing, and computer requirements.

Program Length

Diploma or certificate pathways may take about 1 year.

Associate degree options are usually about 2 years for full-time students.

Delgado Community College is a public community college in New Orleans, about 2 hours from Lafayette.

It is farther away, but it can be relevant for students comparing affordable Louisiana programs connected to interiors, drafting, residential design, and technical design skills.

Programs Offered

Delgado has offered interior design and residential interior design-related options, along with drafting and design technology coursework.

Students may study design fundamentals, color, space planning, materials, drawing, CAD, residential interiors, and presentation methods, depending on the current program and course availability.

Because program offerings can change, students should confirm whether the interior design pathway is active before applying.

If available, Delgado may be a useful lower-cost option for students who want interior design coursework in a community college setting.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, Delgado is usually less expensive than private colleges.

A certificate or associate pathway may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees.

Books, supplies, software, printing, drafting tools, and portfolio materials may add about $500 to $1,500 per year.

Program Length

Certificate options may take about 1 year.

Associate degree pathways are usually about 2 years.

Louisiana Tech University is a public university in Ruston.

It is not near Lafayette for daily commuting, but it is one of the stronger Louisiana options for students who want a full professional interior design degree.

It may be worth comparing for students who are willing to relocate within the state.

Programs Offered

Louisiana Tech offers a Bachelor of Interior Design.

The program focuses on how interior spaces function, not only how they look.

Students study interior design studios, spatial planning, materials, lighting, building systems, digital design, sustainability, furniture, codes, and professional practice.

This is a better fit for students who want a professional design degree than a short online residential design course.

Students interested in certification should ask how the program supports NCIDQ exam eligibility and Louisiana interior design registration requirements.

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, Louisiana Tech is generally more affordable for Louisiana residents than private schools.

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 software, laptop needs, studio supplies, printing, models, books, samples, and portfolio work.

Program Length

The Bachelor of Interior Design is usually a 4-year program.