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Do you dream of becoming the next Joanna Gaines?
Do you aspire to “make everything around me beautiful” like the visionary mother of modernism, Elsie de Wolfe?
Do you have an undying passion to meticulously design revolutionary spaces that shift paradigms of comfort, style, and elegance?
Well, if so, you are in luck.
Below, we have compiled all the information you need to know to kickstart your interior design journey in the state of Kansas.
Your future awaits.
Are you ready to begin?
Article Table of Contents
Interior Design Credentials
According to InteriorDesignedu.org, in some jurisdictions, interior designers must be licensed or registered before they may work with the backing of at least a bachelor’s degree as well as two years of real-world experience.
However, such rules do not formally exist in Kansas.
With that being said, in most cases, a bachelor’s degree in interior design is all that is necessary to obtain an entry-level position in most interior design firms throughout the state.
In addition, volunteering for a certificate, finishing a master’s degree, or finding a summer internship opportunity are all methods to increase your professional expertise.
The Top Schools for Interior Design in Kansas
While higher education is not necessarily a must-have for all interior design firms in the Kansas area, it is generally a good idea to have some sort of background and formal training in the principles, tools, and knowledge that college and university programs offer their students.
Experience in these programs helps in building meaningful connections and relationships while spending time in a designated space meant for you to practice and develop skills that will allow you to hone your craft.
Kansas State University
KSU is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas.
It has over 3,350 bachelor’s degree applicants enrolled and the acceptance rate is fairly high, at 94 percent.
Their interior design curriculum lasts four years and is currently rated the best interior design college & university in Kansas.
Average tuition is currently estimated at $24,339 per year for in-state residents and $39,696 for out-of-state.
Pittsburg State University
PSU is a public institution located in Pittsburg, Kansas.
It has over 995 bachelor’s degree applicants enrolled and the acceptance rate is also fairly high, at 87 percent.
Their interior design curriculum lasts four years and it is rated the second-best interior design college and university in Kansas.
Average tuition is currently estimated at $19,566 per year for in-state residents and $30,618 for out-of-state.
Johnson County Community College
JCCC is a public institution located in Overland Park, Kansas.
It has a student body of more than 19,400 students and, being that it is a community college, most applicants are allowed entry into their programs.
The interior design curriculum lasts a total of 2 years, and they offer information on further certificates if needed.
It is rated as the third-best interior design program in Kansas and the average tuition is estimated at $4,860 for in-state residents and $8,160 for out-of-state.
Wichita State University Tech
WSU Tech is a public university based in Wichita, Kansas.
Their Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology offers a two-year or 74 credit hour Associate level degree in interior design.
They maintain a student body of roughly 5,000 students and cost an estimated $9,635 per year for in-state residents and $11,047 for out-of-state.
Penn Foster School of Interior Design (online)
Penn Foster offers an online, associate degree level, 16-24 months, Interior Design Degree starting at a discounted rate of $1,099 per semester.
Graduates will receive 45 credits towards the 60 credit NCIDQ Certification requirement, which is now listed as a requirement in nearly half of all states to continue to work further in interior design.
Interior Design Schools in Kansas – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS 66506 785-532-6011 |
| Pittsburg State University | 1701 South Broadway Street, Pittsburg KS, 66762 |
| Johnson County Community College | 12345 College Blvd Overland Park, KS 66210 |
| Wichita State University Tech | 4004 N. Webb Road | Wichita, KS 67226 |
| Penn Foster School of Interior Design (online) | 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 |
The Facts, Figures, and Salary Expectations of Interior Design
Interior designers made an hourly average of $21.28, or $44,260 per year in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and in Kansas specifically, the top 10% of interior designers in the state made an average of $63,360 that year.
Just two years later, interior designers in Kansas reported making an average of $57,180, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a $13,000 a year increase in just two years.
Entry-level interior designers earned around $31,520 per year that year, while some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $96,440 per year.
As of now, according to Salary.com, the average median salary for interior designers in the state of Kansas currently sits at $48,769.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wichita | $46,965 |
| Overland Park | $47,706 |
| Kansas City | $47,877 |
| Topeka | $45,594 |
| Olathe | $47,576 |
| Lawrence | $46,317 |
| Shawnee | $47,706 |
| Salina | $46,477 |
| Manhattan | $45,107 |
| Hutchinson | $46,477 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | 90 | $66,410 | $31.93 | $100,110 | $34,670 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the certificates that every interior designer should have?
Some of the most important certificates every interior designer must have are:
- American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers
- American Lighting Specialist
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- Certified Interior Decorator
- Interior Design Continuing Education Council
- International WELL Building Institute
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- National Association of Home Builders
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry
- National Council for Interior Design Qualification
- National Kitchen and Bath Association
How many Interior Designers are there in the US?
There are approximately 59,170 registered interior designers currently in the United States making an average median salary of $61,400.
Where are most interior designers located?
The city of Seattle has frequently been named one of the trendiest places in the nation for interior designers.
Following that, are Denver, CO, Jacksonville, FL, Milwaukee, WI, and San Francisco, CA.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State