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Interior design is an exciting career that you can do anywhere.
The ability to be able to take a boring space and make it something beautiful is unique and special.
The creative ability required to be an interior designer is something to be proud of, but interior design is so much more than creativity.
Getting training in interior design is also very important.
There are many facets of interior design that will require education to learn, whether that education is in person or online.
Interior designers study colors, textures, textiles, spatial design, technology, and so much more.
They also need to have an awareness of history and architecture.
Interior Design Requirements in South Carolina
In the state of South Carolina, you are not required to have a license or degree in order to work in interior design.
However, you will get higher-profile jobs if you are licensed through the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ).
To be licensed, you need to take the NCIDQ exam.
In order to take the exam, you will need to have a minimum of an associate’s degree and four years of experience.
If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can have less experience before you take the exam.
Top Interior Design Schools in South Carolina
There are only four schools with interior design programs in South Carolina, but there are many other online programs that you can do as well.
Anderson University
Located in Anderson, South Carolina, this upstate university has an interior design degree.
The school of interior design will give you a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.
When you graduate from Anderson University with a BFA in Interior Design, you will be part of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
You will be able to take the NCIDQ exam, and you can start your interior design path.
Tuition for Anderson University is around $32,000.
Converse College
Converse College is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
They offer a program so you can get your BFA in Interior Design.
The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
This program prepares you to start a job in an entry-level position in an interior design firm.
When you graduate, you will be fully prepared to take the NCIDQ exam.
Tuition for Converse College is around $21,000.
Winthrop University
In northern South Carolina, Winthrop University offers an interior design degree.
With both bachelor’s and master’s programs, you can graduate from Winthrop University with all you need to take the NCIDQ exam.
Studio classes are a big part of the interior design program at Winthrop.
You will work in groups as well as on your own to complete the interior design program at Winthrop.
There are also opportunities for you to study abroad.
Tuition for Winthrop University is $17,000 for South Carolina residents and $32,000 for non-residents.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College is located in Conway, South Carolina, near the coast.
They offer an interior design certificate if you complete their 24-hour course.
You will have access to this course for six weeks.
This program is not enough to get licensed, but if you just want to work in interior design with other licensed designers, or if you want entry-level education, this could be the program for you.
The cost is $115.
The Interior Design Institute
The Interior Design Institute is a specialized interior design school that is entirely online.
The class is set up as one long course that has twelve modules and twelve corresponding assignments.
The self-paced course style can be done at any length of time.
Some students stretch it out over a year, due to their work and family commitments.
If you do the program quickly, it can take about 4-6 hours per week for 24 weeks.
The course’s total is $1,399.
In the end, you will have an interior design diploma.
Interior Design Schools in South Carolina – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Anderson University | 316 Boulevard Anderson, South Carolina 29621 |
| Converse College | 580 E. Main Street Spartanburg, SC 29302 |
| Winthrop University | 701 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29733 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | 2050 Highway 501 East Conway, South Carolina 29526 |
| The Interior Design Institute | 75 Broadway Suite 202 San Francisco, CA 94111 |
An Interior Design Salary Range for the State of South Carolina
As an interior designer in the state of South Carolina, the median salary range is around $49,000.
When you are starting out in the interior design industry, you can expect to make much less, around $28,000.
If you are licensed and attracting high-paying clients, you may make as much as $63,000, if not more.
Having the NCIDQ license can get you more high-profile jobs, resulting in a higher salary.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $45,191 |
| Charleston | $46,313 |
| North Charleston | $46,313 |
| Greenville | $46,326 |
| Rock Hill | $48,003 |
| Mount Pleasant | $46,313 |
| Spartanburg | $45,580 |
| Sumter | $43,609 |
| Hilton Head Island | $45,530 |
| Florence | $43,960 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 250 | $48,880 | $23.5 | $82,740 | $22,240 |
| Columbia, SC | 100 | $50,380 | $24.22 | $79,460 | $21,200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 150 | $47,740 | $22.95 | $80,590 | $20,650 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 80 | $61,790 | $29.71 | $96,130 | $23,670 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 110 | $43,960 | $21.14 | $71,520 | $21,990 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/interior-designer-i-salary
- https://www.cidq.org/dates-fees-forms
- https://andersonuniversity.edu/academics/interior-design
- https://www.winthrop.edu/cvpa/DESIGN/about-interior-design.aspx
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an interior design license in South Carolina?
No, you do not need an interior design license in South Carolina.
However, you can get your license anyway through the NCIDQ, and you will likely get many more clients, and a higher salary.
Are there annual fees for keeping my license in South Carolina?
There are fees for keeping your NCIDQ license.
The current fee is $75, and you can find more information here.
What do I need to do for my interior design license in South Carolina?
To get your NCIDQ license, you need at least an associate’s degree and four years of experience.
If you have more education, you can have less experience.
Current requirements for your license can be found here.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State