7 Best Interior Design Schools in Nashua, NH

Manchester Community College is a public community college in Manchester, about 25 minutes north of Nashua.

It is the strongest nearby option for students who want a direct interior design program in New Hampshire.

The school is a good fit for beginners who want a structured, affordable program with studio work, technical drawing, design software, and portfolio development.

Programs Offered

Manchester Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and an Interior Design Certificate.

The program covers commercial and residential interior design, technical drawing, visual presentation, lighting design, materials, construction documentation, codes, ADA guidelines, universal design, business practices, and internship experience.

Students also learn software used in interior design drafting, including AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp Pro.

The certificate is a shorter option for students who want entry-level interior design assistant training, while the associate degree gives students a broader 2-year foundation.

Tuition and Cost

Community college tuition is usually much lower than private college tuition.

New Hampshire students should expect a 2-year associate degree to cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, depending on credit load and residency.

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

Program Length

The Interior Design Certificate is about 23 credits and may take about 1 year.

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

Nashua Community College is a public community college located in Nashua.

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

This can be useful for students interested in the technical side of interiors, product design, cabinetry, furniture layouts, or design documentation.

Programs Offered

Nashua Community College offers Mechanical Design Technology and CADD-related coursework.

Students can study 3D CAD modeling, blueprint reading, technical drawing, engineering drawings, SolidWorks, measurement, orthographic projection, section views, dimensioning, and design documentation.

For interior design students, this path is not a replacement for an interiors program, but it can help with software confidence, drafting accuracy, floor plan thinking, millwork drawings, and communication with builders or fabricators.

It is best for students who prefer technical design to decorating.

Tuition and Cost

The Mechanical Design Technology associate degree lists tuition-only costs around $14,000 for in-state students, with higher costs for New England regional and out-of-state students.

Students should also plan for fees, books, CAD course fees, software access, printing, computer needs, and supplies.

A realistic added cost range may be about $500 to $2,000 per year.

Program Length

The associate degree is about 63 credits and usually takes about 2 years for full-time students.

Individual CADD courses take 1 semester.

Nashua Community College also offers short online interior design coursework through continuing education.

This is a good option for students who want to test the field before committing to an associate degree or certificate.

It may also work well for homeowners, decorators, real estate professionals, and beginners who want a simple introduction to interior design concepts.

Programs Offered

The Interior Design Basics course introduces space planning, material selection, color theory, lighting design, room layout, and general design decision-making.

It is more of an introductory course than a professional credential, but it can help students understand whether they enjoy the work before choosing a longer program.

Students who want professional interior design preparation should compare this with Manchester Community College’s Interior Design AAS or certificate.

Tuition and Cost

Short online continuing education courses are usually much less expensive than degree programs.

Students may pay around $100 to a few hundred dollars for an introductory course.

Extra costs are usually limited, but students may need internet access, a computer, optional books, and basic project materials.

Program Length

Introductory online courses often run about 6 weeks.

The University of New Hampshire is a public university in Durham, about 1 hour from Nashua.

UNH does not offer a standard interior design degree, but it has a focused Studies in the Design of Interior Space cognate.

This can be useful for students who want a university-level introduction to space planning, interior environments, design thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Programs Offered

The Studies in the Design of Interior Space cognate includes a 3-course sequence totaling 12 credits.

The program introduces students to interior design fundamentals, space planning, concept development, research, design problem solving, architectural history, design elements, and interior environments.

This option is best for students already pursuing a UNH undergraduate degree or students who want a short academic credential connected to interiors.

It is not the same as a full interior design degree, so students who want professional design preparation should compare it with Manchester Community College, MassBay, or Boston Architectural College.

Tuition and Cost

UNH costs depend on residency, fees, housing, and course load.

New Hampshire residents usually pay less than out-of-state students.

For a 12-credit cognate, students should expect university tuition and fees to be much higher than a short community college course.

Students may also need books, materials, printing, software, and project supplies, which may add about $300 to $1,000.

Program Length

The cognate is 3 courses and 12 credits.

Many students can complete it in about 1 year, depending on course scheduling.

MassBay Community College is a public community college in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Nashua, depending on traffic.

It is one of the better nearby options for students who want a direct interior design certificate at a public college.

It can be a good fit for Nashua students willing to cross into Massachusetts for a more interior-focused certificate program.

Programs Offered

MassBay offers an Interior Design Certificate.

Students study interior space planning, building codes, materials, color, furnishings, decorative arts, residential and commercial presentations, and design communication.

The program also includes internship opportunities, which can help students gain experience in design firms, showrooms, staging companies, kitchen and bath businesses, or retail design environments.

This is a more focused interiors option than a general drafting or CAD certificate.

Students who want a full bachelor’s degree can ask about transfer planning after completing the certificate.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, MassBay is usually less expensive than private design schools, but tuition depends on Massachusetts residency and eligibility for state programs.

Students should expect a certificate to cost several thousand dollars before books, supplies, fees, and materials.

Interior design students should also budget about $500 to $1,500 for books, samples, drafting supplies, printing, project materials, and portfolio work.

Program Length

The certificate can often be completed in about 1 year, depending on course load and scheduling.

Boston Architectural College is a private design college in Boston, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Nashua, depending on traffic.

It is one of the strongest regional options for students who want interior architecture, design certificates, or a more advanced design-school environment.

It is a better fit for students who want interior design connected to architecture, materials, lighting, sustainability, and professional practice.

Programs Offered

Boston Architectural College offers interior architecture degree programs and continuing education certificates.

The Principles of Interior Design Certificate includes 3 courses totaling 9 credits.

Students can study topics such as color theory for interiors, materials and methods, interior lighting, and introductory interiors studio work.

The school also offers an Introduction to Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate, which is fully online and includes 9 credits across 3 courses.

That route can be useful for students interested in residential remodeling, cabinetry, fixtures, space planning, materials, finishes, and kitchen and bath product selection.

Tuition and Cost

BAC is a private design college, so costs are higher than community college.

Certificate students should expect to pay per credit, plus fees and supplies.

A 9-credit certificate can cost several thousand dollars before books, materials, software, printing, and project expenses.

Students should budget about $500 to $2,000 for additional design supplies and technology needs.

Program Length

The Principles of Interior Design Certificate is 9 credits and can often be completed in less than 1 year.

The Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate is also 9 credits, with courses offered in 8-week modules.

Great Bay Community College is a public community college in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

It is not the closest option to Nashua, but it offers flexible online training that may be useful for students who want residential interior design education from home.

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

Programs Offered

Great Bay offers online Certified Residential Interior Designer training.

The course focuses on residential interiors and may include space planning, design elements and principles, furniture, materials, finishes, color, textiles, client communication, design business basics, and preparation for residential interior design credentials such as R.I.D.E. and RIDQC.

This route is more residential and non-degree focused than a full interior design associate or bachelor’s program.

Students interested in professional licensing, commercial design, or NCIDQ-related planning should compare it carefully with degree-based options.

Tuition and Cost

Online residential interior design training commonly 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 computer.

Software costs depend on whether students choose to practice with additional design tools.

Program Length

The course is usually about 160 hours and provides 9 months of access.

Many students complete it in about 6 to 12 months.