6 Best Interior Design Schools in San Jose, CA

San José State University is a public university located in downtown San Jose.

It is the strongest option inside the city for students who want a professional bachelor’s degree in interior design.

The program has a strong Silicon Valley focus, with attention given to technology, adaptable environments, workplace design, sustainability, human wellbeing, and emerging tools such as virtual reality and 3D printing.

Programs Offered

SJSU offers a 120-unit Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

Students initially enter as Design Studies majors and apply to the professional BFA program after completing several introductory courses.

Admission to the BFA requires a portfolio review.

Coursework includes design studios, sketching, modeling, visual communication, space planning, sustainability, building systems, materials, codes, accessibility, human behavior, construction documents, and professional ethics. Students use programs such as Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Lumion, and related rendering tools.

The program also includes required internship experience and portfolio reviews.

Tuition and Cost

California resident undergraduate tuition and campus fees are approximately $9,500 per academic year before housing, transportation, books, and personal expenses.

Nonresident students pay an additional per-unit tuition charge.

Interior design students should budget about $1,000 to $3,000 per year for a suitable laptop, software not provided by the university, printing, models, drafting supplies, materials, and portfolio work.

Program Length

The BFA requires 120 units and normally takes about 4 years.

Entry into the professional interior design sequence is competitive and requires a portfolio review.

West Valley College is a public community college in Saratoga, approximately 10 miles from central San Jose.

It offers one of the most comprehensive community college interior design programs in the South Bay.

The school is a good fit for students who want practical career training, an affordable associate degree, or a professional certificate without attending a private design college.

Programs Offered

West Valley offers an Associate in Science in Interior Design Fundamentals and a 60-unit Interior Design Professional Certificate.

Students study color theory, finish materials, lighting, kitchen and bath design, interior construction, building systems, sustainable design, graphics, design history, residential design, commercial design, AutoCAD, advanced computer-aided design, professional practice, and design detailing.

The professional certificate also includes an interior design internship.

Electives may cover Rhino, Revit, architectural model making, Photoshop, marketing, and kitchen and bath internships.

Tuition and Cost

California residents normally pay about $46 per unit.

Base tuition for a 60-unit program is approximately $2,760 before campus fees, books, software, and supplies.

Some residents of the West Valley-Mission Community College District may qualify for free tuition.

Students should still budget about $500 to $2,000 per year for textbooks, samples, drafting tools, printing, design software, and portfolio materials.

Program Length

The associate degree generally takes about 2 years.

The 60-unit professional certificate may also take about 2 years, depending on course availability and the number of classes taken each semester.

Cañada College is a public community college in Redwood City, approximately 25 miles northwest of San Jose.

It has a long-established interior design department and offers several pathways for students interested in residential design, commercial interiors, kitchen and bath design, or home staging.

Programs Offered

Cañada offers a 60-unit Associate in Science in Interior Design and a 41-unit Interior Design Certificate.

It also offers specialized certificates in Kitchen and Bath Design and Home Staging.

The main program includes interior architectural drafting, color and design, space planning, lighting, materials and finishes, sustainable design, professional practice, design history, portfolio development, and internship experience.

Students can choose software courses in CAD, Chief Architect, or SketchUp.

The Kitchen and Bath certificate is affiliated with the National Kitchen and Bath Association and includes specialized planning, systems, materials, and portfolio coursework.

Tuition and Cost

California residents pay about $46 per unit.

Base enrollment fees are approximately $1,886 for the 41-unit certificate or $2,760 for the 60-unit associate degree.

Books, software, drawing materials, printing, finish samples, and portfolio expenses may add about $500 to $2,000 per year.

Students taking advanced kitchen and bath courses may have additional project and sample costs.

Program Length

The 41-unit certificate may take about 1.5 to 2 years.

The associate degree generally takes about 2 years.

The 24-unit Home Staging Certificate may be completed in about 1 year.

De Anza College is a public community college in Cupertino, about 10 miles west of San Jose.

Its most relevant option for interior design students is an online residential interior design course offered through career training.

This can be a good fit for working adults, beginners, decorators, real estate professionals, and students who want to test the field before committing to a degree.

Programs Offered

De Anza offers online Certified Residential Interior Designer training.

The course covers residential space planning, furniture, color, lighting, materials, client relationships, project management, professional ethics, and the business side of interior design.

Students can also find related online courses in blueprint reading and Revit.

These can help students understand construction documents, interior elevations, architectural plans, BIM models, and residential building layouts.

This is a non-degree residential design pathway and should not be confused with a professional bachelor’s degree.

Tuition and Cost

The complete residential interior design course generally costs about $2,000 to $3,000.

Students should also budget for a computer, internet access, optional software, books, and design materials.

Related Revit or blueprint-reading courses are priced separately and may cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Program Length

The residential design course is self-paced and can usually be completed in about 6 to 12 months.

San José City College is a public community college located in San Jose.

It does not offer a complete interior design degree, but it can be useful for students who want an affordable foundation in engineering drawing, CAD, art, or digital design.

It is best for students who want to improve their technical skills before transferring to SJSU or enrolling in a dedicated interior design program.

Programs Offered

SJCC’s engineering program includes computer-aided design, engineering drawings, technical communication, and project-based problem solving.

Art and computer graphics courses can also help students develop drawing, composition, visual presentation, and digital software skills.

For interior design students, CAD and drawing coursework can support the creation of floor plans, interior elevations, furniture layouts, cabinetry drawings, and basic construction documents.

This route does not include a full interior design curriculum in lighting, textiles, materials, furniture, and professional interiors practice.

Tuition and Cost

California residents generally pay about $46 per unit.

A 30-unit year of coursework would have base enrollment fees of approximately $1,380 before books and campus fees.

Students should budget about $300 to $1,500 per year for software, drafting supplies, books, printing, and computer equipment.

Program Length

Individual courses take 1 semester.

A transfer or technical foundation pathway may take about 1 to 2 years.

Academy of Art University is a private art and design university in San Francisco, approximately 50 miles from San Jose.

Its interior architecture programs are also available online, making the school accessible to South Bay students who do not want to commute regularly.

Programs Offered

The university offers associate, bachelor’s, certificate, and graduate programs in Interior Architecture and Design.

The 120-unit BFA includes sketching, design thinking, construction documents, space planning, materials, building codes, CAD, residential design, commercial design, furnishings, and portfolio development.

The program includes sophomore, junior, and senior portfolio requirements.

Students can study either online or on campus, and the BFA curriculum is designed to support professional interior design preparation.

Tuition and Cost

For the 2026-2027 academic year, domestic undergraduate tuition is about $1,366 per unit.

Tuition for 24 units is approximately $32,784 per academic year.

The school estimates additional course fees of about $1,500 per semester and materials costs of roughly $545 per semester.

Interior architecture students may spend more on software, printing, models, tools, and computer equipment.

Program Length

The associate degree normally takes about 2 years.

The 120-unit BFA usually takes about 4 years.

Online students attending part-time may take longer.