7 Best Interior Design Schools in Nashville, TN

Belmont University is a private university located in Nashville.

Its O’More College of Architecture and Design is one of the strongest local options for students who want a full interior design degree inside the city.

This is a good fit for students who want a studio-based design education, small class settings, portfolio development, and a program connected to Nashville’s residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, and workplace design market.

Programs Offered

Belmont offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

The program includes interior design studios, human-centered design, space planning, lighting, materials, building systems, sustainability, codes, design history, digital tools, construction documents, and professional practice.

Students complete studio projects, presentations, critiques, and portfolio work throughout the program.

The program is CIDA-accredited, which can matter for students interested in professional credentials later.

Students who want to become licensed or registered interior designers should still check Tennessee requirements and ask how education, work experience, and the NCIDQ exam fit their plans.

Tuition and Cost

Belmont is a private university, so it costs much more than public technical or community college options.

Undergraduate tuition and fees are around $43,000 to $44,000 per year before housing, meals, books, and supplies.

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

Program Length

The BFA in Interior Design is a 4-year program and requires about 128 credit hours.

Nashville State Community College is a public community college located in Nashville.

It does not offer a traditional interior design degree, but its Architectural Design Technology program is one of the most useful local options for students who want lower-cost training in building design, residential design, drafting, and digital design tools.

This can be a smart option for students who want technical design skills before transferring, entering drafting work, or adding interior design coursework later.

Programs Offered

Nashville State offers an Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Design Technology and a Technical Certificate in Architectural Design.

Students study architectural design, building information modeling, residential design and construction, 3D rendering, construction drawings, design documentation, and architectural software.

For interior design students, this type of training is practical because interior design work often involves floor plans, wall elevations, reflected ceiling plans, cabinetry drawings, space layouts, and communication with architects or contractors.

It is more architecture and drafting focused than furniture or decorating focused.

Tuition and Cost

The Architectural Design certificate costs about $4,700 in tuition and fees.

The AAS degree costs more because it requires about 61 credits, so students should expect a total closer to the low five figures before books and supplies.

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

Program Length

The certificate is designed to take about 1 year.

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

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville is a public technical college located in Nashville.

It is not a traditional interior design school, but it is useful for students who want focused CAD and drafting training.

This route can work well for students who prefer technical drawings, software, and design documentation to decorating or styling.

Programs Offered

TCAT Nashville offers Computer-Aided Design Technology.

Students train with AutoCAD, Revit, and SolidWorks.

Coursework focuses on drafting, technical drawings, computer-aided design, 3D modeling, and documentation for design, architecture, manufacturing, and construction.

For interior design students, CAD skills can help with floor plans, elevations, furniture layouts, kitchen and bath drawings, millwork details, and construction document support.

This is best as a technical pathway or add-on, not a complete interiors curriculum.

Tuition and Cost

TCAT programs are usually more affordable than private colleges.

Students should expect a technical diploma or certificate to cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, depending on the specific credential and schedule.

Additional costs may include books, software access, tools, lab fees, supplies, and a computer, usually around $500 to $1,500.

Program Length

Many TCAT programs are built around a “career in a year” model.

CAD training may take about 12 months, depending on the credential and attendance schedule.

Middle Tennessee State University is a public university in Murfreesboro, about 35 to 45 minutes from Nashville.

It is one of the strongest nearby options for students who want a full interior architecture degree at a public university.

MTSU may be a good fit for students who are willing to commute or relocate for a 4-year interior design-focused program.

Programs Offered

MTSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture.

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

The program is CIDA-accredited and is designed for students who want professional interior design preparation.

Students interested in the NCIDQ exam or Tennessee interior design credentials should ask the department how the curriculum, internship planning, and post-graduation experience requirements fit their goals.

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, MTSU is usually more affordable for Tennessee residents than private universities.

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

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

Program Length

The BS in Interior Architecture is usually a 4-year program.

Lipscomb University is a private Christian university located in Nashville.

It does not offer a full interior design major, but it has interior design-related coursework through its fashion and interior merchandising area.

This option is best for students interested in the merchandising, retail, showroom, furnishings, and business side of interiors rather than a professional interior design degree.

Programs Offered

Lipscomb offers a Fashion and Interior Merchandising program and an Interior Design minor.

Related coursework can include interior design, space requirements, architectural styles, construction, drawing, merchandising, product selection, and business concepts.

This is not the same as a CIDA-accredited interior design degree.

Students who want professional interior design preparation should compare Lipscomb with Belmont or MTSU.

Students more interested in home furnishings, retail buying, showrooms, styling, merchandising, or design business may still find it useful.

Tuition and Cost

As a private university, Lipscomb costs more than public college options.

Annual tuition can reach several tens of thousands of dollars before housing, meals, fees, books, and supplies.

Students taking design or merchandising courses should also budget about $500 to $1,500 per year for books, materials, software, presentation supplies, and project expenses.

Program Length

The bachelor’s degree is usually 4 years.

The Interior Design minor is about 18 credit hours and can usually be completed alongside a major.

Volunteer State Community College is a public community college in Gallatin, about 30 to 40 minutes northeast of Nashville.

It does not offer a full interior design degree, but it is useful for students who want online AutoCAD training or a lower-cost technical skill before moving into interior design, architecture, or drafting work.

Programs Offered

Vol State offers online AutoCAD training, including AutoCAD Basics and AutoCAD Certification Training.

Students can learn the AutoCAD interface, drafting symbols, drawing setup, layout tools, kitchen and bath fixtures, floor plans, and basic professional drafting workflows.

For interior design students, this is useful for building technical confidence.

AutoCAD skills can support floor plans, furniture layouts, elevations, cabinetry drawings, and communication with contractors or architects.

It is a software-focused option rather than a complete interior design program.

Tuition and Cost

Short AutoCAD courses may cost a few hundred dollars, while longer certification training may cost around $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the package and whether exam materials are included.

Students may also need a computer that can run CAD software, internet access, and optional books or practice materials.

Program Length

AutoCAD Basics may take several weeks.

Full certification training is usually self-paced and may take several months.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a public university located several hours east of Nashville.

It is not local, but it is one of the major Tennessee options for students who want a full interior architecture degree and are willing to relocate.

It is a strong choice for students comparing public university design programs across the state.

Programs Offered

UT Knoxville offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture.

The program includes technical courses, design studios, interior environments, spatial planning, materials, lighting, building systems, digital tools, design theory, fabrication, sustainability, and professional practice.

This is a professional interior architecture pathway, not a short residential decorating course.

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

Tuition and Cost

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

Tennessee 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 architecture students should also budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for software, laptop needs, books, studio supplies, printing, models, samples, fabrication materials, and portfolio work.

Program Length

The BS in Interior Architecture is usually a 4-year program.