7 Best Interior Design Schools in New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College is a public community college located in New Orleans.

It is one of the most practical local options for students who want affordable interior design or design-related training without leaving the city.

Delgado can be a good fit for beginners who want a lower-cost program, hands-on coursework, and a community college route before working or transferring.

Programs Offered

Delgado has offered interior design-related study, including associate-level and certificate-style pathways connected to residential interiors, space planning, color, materials, drawing, design fundamentals, and presentation skills.

Students may also find related coursework in drafting, CAD, art, and design communication.

This can help with floor plans, furniture layouts, elevations, and basic project documentation. Because program availability can change, students should confirm the current interior design pathway before applying.

Tuition and Cost

As a Louisiana public community college, Delgado is usually much more affordable than private colleges.

A certificate or associate degree may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, depending on residency, credits, and course load.

Students should also budget about $500 to $1,500 per year for books, drafting supplies, design samples, software, printing, and portfolio materials.

Program Length

Certificate options may take about 1 year.

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

Delgado’s drafting and design technology options are useful for students who want technical design skills that support interior design work.

This route is not the same as a full interiors studio program, but it can be valuable for students who want to work with plans, construction documents, and CAD software.

Programs Offered

Students may study computer-aided drafting, technical drawing, architectural drafting, construction documentation, 2D and 3D drawing, and design communication.

These skills are useful for interior design because designers often work with floor plans, elevations, cabinetry drawings, reflected ceiling plans, furniture layouts, and contractor documents.

This is a strong option for students who like the technical side of interiors more than decorating or styling.

Tuition and Cost

A shorter drafting certificate may cost a few thousand dollars, while an associate-level pathway may cost more depending on credit requirements.

Students should budget about $500 to $1,500 for books, software access, lab fees, drafting tools, printing, and a capable computer.

Program Length

Certificate options may take about 1 year or less.

Associate degree pathways are usually about 2 years.

Tulane University is a private university located in New Orleans.

It does not offer a standard interior design degree, but its School of Architecture is highly relevant for students interested in interior architecture, adaptive reuse, historic buildings, spatial design, and the built environment.

This can be a good fit for students who want a design education connected to architecture, preservation, urban context, and New Orleans’ historic building stock.

Programs Offered

Tulane offers architecture and design-related programs that may include architectural design studios, drawing, digital modeling, materials, building systems, preservation, urban design, environmental design, and professional practice.

For interior design students, Tulane is most useful if the goal is interior architecture, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, or architecture-led design.

Students who want a direct curriculum in furniture, textiles, residential interiors, and decorating should compare Tulane carefully with Delgado or a dedicated interior design bachelor’s program.

Tuition and Cost

Tulane is a private university, so tuition is much higher than public college options.

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

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

Program Length

Bachelor’s-level architecture study usually takes about 4 years.

Professional architecture pathways may require additional graduate study.

Nunez Community College is a public community college in Chalmette, just outside New Orleans.

It is a practical nearby option for students who want technical drafting, design documentation, and CAD training at a lower cost than a university.

This school is best for students interested in the technical and construction side of design.

Programs Offered

Nunez offers drafting and design-related technical training.

Coursework may include CAD, technical drawing, architectural drafting, construction plans, design documentation, and drawing standards.

For interior design students, this type of program can help with floor plans, wall elevations, millwork drawings, kitchen and bath layouts, and communicating design ideas clearly to builders or contractors.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, Nunez is generally affordable compared with private schools.

A short certificate may cost a few thousand dollars depending on credits and fees.

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

Program Length

Certificate programs may take about 1 year or less.

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

Louisiana State University is a public university in Baton Rouge, about 80 miles from New Orleans.

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

LSU’s School of Interior Design is part of the College of Art & Design.

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.

This is a more complete professional design route than a short certificate or drafting-only program.

Students interested in professional certification 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 work.

Program Length

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

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public university located about 2 hours west of New Orleans.

It is another strong Louisiana option for students who want a full interior design degree and are open to relocating or commuting from another part of the state.

Programs Offered

UL Lafayette offers a Bachelor of Interior Design through its School of Architecture and Design.

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

Students complete studio projects and portfolio work throughout the program.

This is a better match for students who want professional interior design preparation than a short online residential design course.

Tuition and Cost

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

Tuition and fees usually cost several thousand dollars per semester for full-time students.

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

Program Length

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

Southeastern Louisiana University is a public university in Hammond, about 50 miles from New Orleans.

It does not offer a traditional interior design degree, but its drafting and design technology options can be useful for students interested in CAD, technical drawings, building plans, and construction documentation.

Programs Offered

Southeastern offers industrial technology programs with drafting and design-related concentrations.

Students may study CAD, technical drawing, drafting standards, engineering graphics, construction-related drawings, and design documentation.

For interior design students, this can be useful if the goal is to work with architects, contractors, cabinet shops, construction firms, or design-build companies.

It is more technical than interiors-focused, so students who want lighting, textiles, furniture, and design studios should compare it with LSU or UL Lafayette.

Tuition and Cost

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

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

Students should budget several thousand dollars per semester for tuition and fees, plus about $500 to $2,000 per year for books, software, supplies, and technology needs.

Program Length

Associate-level pathways may take about 2 years.

Bachelor’s-level technology programs are usually about 4 years.