7 Best Interior Design Schools in Orlando, FL

Seminole State College of Florida is a public college in Sanford, just north of Orlando.

It is the strongest local option for students who want a direct interior design degree in Central Florida.

The school is a good fit for beginners who want a career-focused program with both technical and creative interior design training.

Programs Offered

Seminole State offers an Associate in Science in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design.

Students study space planning, materials and finishes, ergonomics, lighting, building and safety codes, design trends, technical drawing, digital tools, and professional design practices.

The BAS is especially useful for students who want a 4-year interior design pathway at a public college.

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

Tuition and Cost

As a Florida public college, Seminole State is usually more affordable than private design schools.

Florida resident tuition is generally much lower than out-of-state tuition.

A 2-year associate pathway may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees, while a 4-year bachelor’s pathway costs more depending on credits and residency.

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

Program Length

The AS pathway is about 75 credits and can usually be completed in about 2 years full-time.

The BAS is a 4-year bachelor’s pathway for students continuing beyond the associate level.

Valencia College is a public college based in Orlando.

It does not operate as a traditional interior design degree school, but it is one of the most useful local options for students who want CAD, drafting, architecture, and design technology training.

Valencia can be a smart starting point for students who want technical drawing skills before transferring or moving into interior design work.

Programs Offered

Valencia offers an Associate of Science in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design.

Students learn how to create complete working drawings from sketches, specifications, and design instructions.

Coursework includes CADD, technical drawing, drafting practices, and design documentation.

For interior design students, this is useful because interior designers often work with floor plans, elevations, furniture layouts, cabinetry drawings, reflected ceiling plans, and construction documents.

Students can also explore Valencia’s Architecture Degree Pathway, which builds drawing, model-making, spatial analysis, and critical thinking skills.

Tuition and Cost

As a public Florida college, Valencia is generally affordable for local students.

Florida resident tuition for associate-level study is commonly a little over $100 per credit hour before fees.

A 60-credit associate degree may cost roughly $6,000 to $8,000 in tuition and fees before supplies.

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

Program Length

The Computer-Aided Drafting and Design AS is usually a 2-year program.

Architecture pathway coursework is usually completed as part of a 2-year associate pathway before transfer.

The University of Central Florida is a large public university in Orlando.

UCF does not offer a standard interior design degree, but it is relevant for students interested in architecture, interior architecture, spatial design, and the built environment.

It is best for students who want a university-level design pathway with a stronger architecture focus.

Programs Offered

UCF offers a Bachelor of Design in Architecture through a partnership with Valencia College and the University of Florida.

Students can begin lower-division architecture coursework through Valencia and continue into upper-division architecture study through UCF.

For interior design students, this path is most useful if the goal is interior architecture, building design, adaptive reuse, commercial spaces, or space planning connected to architecture.

Students who want furniture, textiles, residential interiors, and interiors-specific studio coursework should compare UCF carefully with Seminole State’s interior design programs.

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, UCF is usually more affordable for Florida residents than private schools.

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

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

Program Length

The architecture pathway can follow a 2 + 2 + 2 model: about 2 years of lower-division coursework, about 2 years for the bachelor’s degree, and additional graduate study for students pursuing professional architecture credentials.

UCF Continuing Education offers online interior design training for students who want a flexible, non-degree option.

This is useful for beginners, decorators, homeowners, real estate professionals, home stagers, and career changers who want to explore residential interior design before committing to a longer college program.

Programs Offered

UCF offers an online Certified Residential Interior Designer course.

Students may study residential space planning, color, materials, furniture, lighting, client needs, project planning, design presentations, and design business basics.

UCF also offers an Interior Design Basics course, which is a shorter introduction to space planning, material selection, color theory, and lighting design.

These courses are more residential and beginner-focused than a full interior design degree.

Tuition and Cost

Online residential interior design training commonly costs about $2,000 to $3,000.

Shorter introductory courses may cost around $100 to a few hundred dollars.

Students may also need to budget about $100 to $500 for books, optional materials, internet access, and computer needs.

Program Length

The Certified Residential Interior Designer course is usually self-paced and may take about 6 to 12 months.

Interior Design Basics often runs about 6 weeks.

Orange Technical College is a public technical college system serving Orlando and Orange County.

It is not a traditional interior design school, but it is highly practical for students who want career-ready CAD, BIM, and 3D modeling skills.

This option is best for students who like the technical side of design and want a shorter training route than a college degree.

Programs Offered

Orange Technical College offers Computer-Aided Drawing and Modeling.

Students learn CAD, BIM, and 3D modeling skills for architectural, engineering, construction, and manufacturing fields.

For interior design students, this training can help with floor plans, elevations, furniture layouts, kitchen and bath drawings, millwork details, and digital models.

It is more software and documentation focused than decorating focused, so students who want a complete interiors curriculum should compare it with Seminole State.

Tuition and Cost

Technical college programs are usually shorter and more affordable than 4-year degrees.

Students should expect program costs to be several thousand dollars, depending on fees, residency, supplies, and attendance schedule.

Extra costs may include software access, books, tools, lab fees, printing, and a computer, often around $500 to $1,500.

Program Length

Many Orange Technical College programs can be completed in about 1 year or less.

Exact length depends on the schedule and program structure.

Daytona State College is a public college in Daytona Beach, about 1 hour northeast of Orlando.

It is one of the strongest nearby options for Orlando students who want an associate degree specifically connected to interior design technology.

It may be worth comparing for students willing to commute or relocate within Central Florida.

Programs Offered

Daytona State offers an Associate of Science in Interior Design Technology.

The program prepares students for work in interior design, architecture, and construction.

Students may study design history, interior design theory, technical standards, drafting, space planning, materials, building codes, lighting, and design documentation.

Daytona State also offers a Kitchen and Bath Specialization Certificate, which is useful for students interested in remodeling, cabinetry, fixtures, finishes, and residential design.

Tuition and Cost

As a Florida public college, Daytona State is usually more affordable than private schools.

Florida resident tuition for associate programs is commonly a little over $100 per credit hour before fees.

A 2-year associate degree may cost roughly $6,000 to $8,000 in tuition and fees before books and supplies.

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

Program Length

The AS degree is usually about 2 years.

The Kitchen and Bath certificate includes about 39 credits and may take around 1 year to 1.5 years.

The University of Florida is a public university in Gainesville, about 2 hours from Orlando.

It is not local for daily commuting for most students, but it is one of Florida’s strongest interior design degree options.

UF is worth comparing for Orlando students who want a full 4-year interior design degree and are willing to relocate.

Programs Offered

UF offers a Bachelor of Design in Interior Design.

Students study design studios, space planning, lighting, materials, building systems, sustainability, design communication, digital tools, history, professional practice, and portfolio development.

The program is CIDA-accredited and is designed as a first professional degree.

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

Tuition and Cost

As a public university, UF is usually more affordable for Florida residents than private colleges.

Florida resident students should expect tuition and fees to cost several thousand dollars per semester, while out-of-state students pay more.

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

Program Length

The Bachelor of Design in Interior Design requires about 120 credits and is typically completed in 4 years.