7 Best Interior Design Schools in Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University is a private university located in Philadelphia.

Its Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is one of the strongest local options for students who want a full interior design degree with studio work, professional experience, and portfolio development.

Drexel is a good fit for students who want a serious design-school environment inside a larger research university.

Programs Offered

Drexel offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design.

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

A major feature of Drexel’s program is cooperative education, which gives students structured work experience before graduation.

Students can also continue into graduate study through Drexel’s Interior Architecture & Design program.

Students interested in professional credentials should ask how the program supports NCIDQ exam preparation and Pennsylvania-related professional requirements.

Tuition and Cost

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

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

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

Program Length

The bachelor’s degree is usually a 4-year program.

Graduate interior architecture study may take about 2 to 3 years, depending on the student’s background.

Thomas Jefferson University is a private university in Philadelphia with a strong College of Architecture and the Built Environment.

It is one of the best local choices for students who want a full interior design degree connected to architecture, construction, sustainability, and human-centered design.

Programs Offered

Jefferson offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design.

Students study design studios, space planning, construction detailing, building systems, lighting, materials, digital design, model-making, hand drawing, sustainable design, commercial design, residential design, and professional practice.

Jefferson also offers a Master of Science in Interior Architecture.

This can be useful for students with a design, architecture, or non-design background who want graduate-level interiors training.

Tuition and Cost

As a private university, Jefferson usually costs much more than community college.

Full-time undergraduate tuition can reach the tens of thousands of dollars per year before housing, fees, books, and materials.

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

Program Length

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

The MS in Interior Architecture may require about 49 to 69 credits, depending on the student’s prior education.

Moore College of Art & Design is a private art and design college located in Philadelphia.

It is a strong option for students who want a dedicated creative college environment with interior design studios, hands-on projects, and portfolio work.

Moore may be a good fit for students who want smaller design-focused classes rather than a large university setting.

Programs Offered

Moore offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

Students study design fundamentals, drawing, digital tools, space planning, materials, lighting, furniture, color, sustainability, professional practice, and portfolio development.

Moore also offers an Interior Design Studies Certificate through adult continuing education.

The certificate includes 8 courses and can help students build foundational portfolio pieces while exploring the field before committing to a full degree.

Tuition and Cost

Moore is a private art and design college, so annual degree tuition can reach several tens of thousands of dollars before housing, fees, books, and supplies.

Interior design students should budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for hardware, software, printing, studio materials, samples, and portfolio costs.

The continuing education certificate is priced per course.

Recent course pricing has been roughly $865 to $1,210 per course, depending on term and format.

Program Length

The BFA is usually a 4-year program.

The Interior Design Studies Certificate includes 8 courses and can usually be completed in about 1 to 2 years.

Community College of Philadelphia is a public community college located in Philadelphia.

It is one of the most affordable local options for students who want an interior design pathway inside the city.

CCP can be a good fit for beginners who want a lower-cost starting point before transferring to a bachelor’s program or seeking junior-level design work.

Programs Offered

CCP offers an Associate in Arts in Interior Design.

Students learn how to plan building layouts, choose color palettes, select furniture, specify floor and window coverings, and determine lighting schemes for interior spaces.

The program is designed for transfer to 4-year schools, but graduates may also seek entry-level roles such as junior designer, assistant designer, or materials librarian.

Students may also study architecture-related coursework through CCP’s Architecture, Design & Construction department.

Tuition and Cost

As a public community college, CCP is usually much less expensive than private design schools.

Philadelphia residents pay the lowest tuition rate, while out-of-county and out-of-state students pay more.

A 2-year associate degree may cost several thousand dollars in tuition and fees.

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

Program Length

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

MADE Institute is a private fashion and design school in Philadelphia.

It is not a full college degree route, but it offers a beginner-friendly interior design course that may be useful for students who want a short, hands-on introduction before choosing a longer program.

Programs Offered

MADE Institute offers Interior Design 1.

The course covers visual communication for interior design, hand sketching, floor plan drawing, rendering techniques, color theory, space planning, design principles, and material selection.

This option is best for beginners, decorators, homeowners, and students who want to test the field.

It is not a substitute for a degree in interior design, but it can help students decide whether they enjoy design work before investing more time and money.

Tuition and Cost

Interior Design 1 has been priced around $395.

Students may also need basic drawing materials, project supplies, and possibly printing costs.

Extra costs are usually modest compared with degree programs.

Program Length

The course runs about 6 weeks.

Delaware County Community College is a public community college in the Philadelphia suburbs, with locations serving Delaware and Chester counties.

It is a practical option for students who want affordable AutoCAD, architecture, and drafting training near Philadelphia.

Programs Offered

DCCC offers architecture and computer-aided drafting coursework.

Students may study 2D AutoCAD, technical drawing, architectural drafting, residential construction documents, 3D modeling, construction materials, and design documentation.

For interior design students, this is useful for learning floor plans, elevations, cabinetry drawings, kitchen and bath layouts, and construction-related documentation.

It is more technical than decorating-focused, so students who want a complete interiors curriculum should compare it with CCP, Moore, Drexel, or Jefferson.

Tuition and Cost

DCCC’s short architecture and AutoCAD courses may cost several hundred dollars each.

One entry-level AutoCAD course has been priced around $795. Longer certificate paths may cost a few thousand dollars depending on credits and fees.

Students should budget about $300 to $1,500 for books, software access, drafting supplies, printing, and computer needs.

Program Length

Short AutoCAD or architecture courses may run about 8 to 10 weeks.

Certificate-style study may take about 1 year.

Bucks County Community College is a public community college northeast of Philadelphia.

It is useful for students who want online residential interior design training, AutoCAD certification, SketchUp training, or visual design courses while staying within the Philadelphia region.

Programs Offered

Bucks offers online Certified Residential Interior Designer training.

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

Bucks also offers AutoCAD certification training and SketchUp Pro Basics.

These software courses can help interior design students create floor plans, kitchen and bath drawings, furniture layouts, 3D models, and client presentation visuals.

Tuition and Cost

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

AutoCAD certification training may also cost a few thousand dollars depending on the package. Shorter software courses may cost less.

Students should budget about $100 to $1,000 for books, optional materials, software access, internet, and computer needs.

Program Length

The Certified Residential Interior Designer course is usually about 160 hours and self-paced.

Many students complete it in about 6 to 12 months.

Short software courses may take several weeks.