6 Best Interior Design Schools in Lexington, KY

The University of Kentucky is a public university located in Lexington.

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

The program is housed in the UK’s College of Design, which makes it a good fit for students who want studio work, design research, professional preparation, and a larger design-school environment.

Programs Offered

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

The program focuses on interior environments, spatial planning, design strategy, research, materials, building systems, sustainability, design communication, lighting, and professional practice.

Students can expect design studios, critiques, presentations, portfolio development, and digital design work.

This is a stronger match for students who want professional interior design preparation than a short decorating course.

The UK also offers graduate study in interiors, which may interest students with a design background or those seeking advanced study.

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

Tuition and Cost

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

Kentucky 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 development.

Program Length

The BFA is usually a 4-year program.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a public community college serving Lexington and Central Kentucky.

It does not offer a traditional interior design degree, but it is one of the most practical local options for students who want CAD, drafting, technical drawing, and design documentation skills.

This can be a smart starting point for students who want a lower-cost route before transferring or adding an interiors program later.

Programs Offered

BCTC offers Computer-Aided Drafting and Design. Students learn how to turn design or engineering instructions into accurate drawings using hand drawing, computer-aided drafting, and parametric design tools.

Coursework may include CAD, technical drawing, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, drafting standards, and design documentation.

For interior design students, CADD skills are useful for floor plans, furniture layouts, elevations, reflected ceiling plans, cabinetry drawings, and construction documents.

This route is more technical than decorating-focused, but it can be very helpful for entry-level design support work.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, BCTC is generally much less expensive than a 4-year university or private design school.

Kentucky community and technical college tuition is usually charged per credit, and a certificate may cost a few thousand dollars, depending on credit load and fees.

A full associate degree may cost several thousand dollars more.

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

Program Length

Certificate options may take about 1 year or less.

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

BCTC also offers short AutoCAD training through workforce and continuing education options.

This is useful for students who want a focused introduction to drafting software without committing to a full degree or associate pathway.

It can work well for beginners, decorators, contractors, home remodelers, and students preparing for interior design coursework.

Programs Offered

The AutoCAD Basics course introduces students to computer-aided design using AutoCAD.

Students may learn drafting symbols, drawing setup, editing tools, layout methods, and practical drawing tasks.

The course includes examples that can connect to interior layouts, kitchen and bath planning, and architectural drafting.

For interior design students, AutoCAD can help with floor plans, furniture plans, elevations, cabinet layouts, reflected ceiling plans, and design documentation.

This is a shorter technical option, not a complete interiors curriculum.

Tuition and Cost

Short AutoCAD courses usually cost much less than degree programs.

Students may pay a few hundred dollars to around $1,000, depending on the course format and included materials.

Extra costs may include software access, a computer that can run CAD software, books, and optional practice materials.

Program Length

Short AutoCAD courses may take several weeks to a few months, depending on the schedule.

The University of Kentucky and other university-connected continuing education providers may offer online residential interior design training for students who want a flexible non-degree option.

This type of course can be useful for Lexington-area students who want to study from home before deciding whether to pursue a full design degree.

Programs Offered

Online residential interior design training usually focuses on home interiors rather than commercial design or interior architecture.

Students may study space planning, color, furniture, lighting, materials, client needs, residential design process, presentation basics, and design business concepts.

This option is best for beginners, decorators, homeowners, real estate professionals, and career changers.

Students who want professional interior design credentials should compare this carefully with the UK’s degree program.

Tuition and Cost

Online residential interior design programs commonly cost 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 students choose to practice with additional digital design tools.

Program Length

Most online residential design courses are self-paced and may take about 6 to 12 months.

Eastern Kentucky University is a public university in Richmond, about 30 miles south of Lexington.

It does not offer a direct interior design degree, but it can be useful for students who want art, design, drawing, digital media, and portfolio-building coursework close to Lexington.

EKU may be a good fit for students who want a creative foundation before transferring into a dedicated interior design program.

Programs Offered

EKU offers Art and Design Studio programs with customizable undergraduate pathways.

Students may study drawing, design foundations, digital media, visual communication, color, composition, and studio practice.

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

It can help students build creative and presentation skills, but it does not replace a full interiors curriculum with space planning, lighting, codes, materials, furniture systems, and construction documentation.

Tuition and Cost

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

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

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

Art and design students should also budget about $500 to $2,000 per year for studio supplies, software, printing, books, tools, and portfolio development.

Program Length

Bachelor’s degree programs are usually about 4 years.

Students using EKU as a foundation or transfer route may study there for 1 to 2 years.

Sullivan University has a Lexington campus and online options.

It is not a traditional interior design school, but it can be relevant for students who want business, technology, hospitality, or career-focused training that may support design-adjacent work.

This option is best for students who are interested in the business side of design, retail, project coordination, or entrepreneurship.

Programs Offered

Sullivan does not replace a direct interior design program.

However, students interested in interiors may find related value in business, management, technology, and hospitality coursework.

These areas can support future work in design business operations, showroom management, home furnishings, hospitality interiors, or client-facing project coordination.

Students who want direct training in space planning, materials, lighting, CAD, and studio interiors should start with the UK or BCTC instead.

Tuition and Cost

As a private university, Sullivan usually costs more than public community college options.

Tuition depends on program, degree level, and course load.

Students should expect annual costs to be several thousand dollars or more, with additional expenses for books, technology fees, software, and supplies.

Program Length

Certificate and diploma programs may take about 1 year or less.

Associate and bachelor’s programs usually take about 2 to 4 years, depending on the credential and schedule.