Interior Architecture.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Interior Architecture.: The DTI for this program is 58.9%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Interior Architecture., compare your expected starting salary (currently $40215) to the average debt ($23674) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Interior Architecture.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 58.9%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Interior Architecture., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($40215) against the typical student debt ($23674), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering Interior Architecture.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $40215, and with an average student debt of $23674, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.59—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 850 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Many alumni pursue roles like Interior Designers, a career path projected to grow by 3.0% soon. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, Interior Architecture. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
Interior Architecture (CIP 04.0501) is a professional field that blends the creative artistry of interior design with the technical rigor of architecture. While an interior designer may focus on the aesthetics and furnishings of a space, an interior architect focuses on the structural interior, dealing with building codes, life safety, and the "bones" of a room. It is the practice of designing a building from the inside out.
This degree is ideal for students who are "structural creatives." It is a path for individuals who are fascinated by how people move through buildings and who want to use light, materials, and technology to transform existing shells into functional, inspiring environments.
What Is an Interior Architecture Degree?
An Interior Architecture degree focuses on the adaptive reuse and technical design of interior spaces. It requires a deep understanding of how a building is constructed. Students learn to manipulate the interior volume of a building, which often involves moving walls, designing stairs, and integrating complex mechanical and electrical systems. Unlike a general architecture degree, the focus remains specifically on the human experience within the enclosed environment.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train designers to renovate historic buildings for modern use
- Teach the science of "ergonomics"—how furniture and layouts affect the human body
- Develop specialists in sustainable materials and indoor air quality
- Prepare professionals to pass rigorous industry certification and licensing exams
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to balance the "soft" elements of design (color, texture) with the "hard" elements of engineering (ventilation, load-bearing structures).
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Draft technical blueprints using software like Revit, Rhino, and AutoCAD
- Understand Building Codes and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility standards
- Design complex lighting systems that affect mood and productivity
- Select and test materials for durability, fire safety, and sustainability
- Create 3D photorealistic renderings to pitch ideas to clients
- Manage the "FF&E" (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) budget for large projects
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is an intense mix of studio time, history, and technical labs:
- Building Systems: Learning how plumbing, heating, and wiring fit behind the walls.
- Textiles and Materials: The study of fabrics, woods, metals, and stones.
- Environmental Psychology: Studying how light and color affect human behavior and health.
- Furniture Design: Learning the history and construction of the objects we sit and work on.
- Conservation and Heritage: How to protect the historic character of an old interior.
- Lighting and Acoustics: The physics of how light looks and how sound moves in a room.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates work in specialized roles within the design and construction industry.
Common job roles include:
- Interior Architect: Leading the structural redesign of offices, hospitals, or retail stores.
- Sustainability Consultant: Helping buildings earn "Green" certifications like LEED or WELL.
- Corporate Workplace Strategist: Designing layouts that help employees work better together.
- Hospitality Designer: Specializing in the unique needs of hotels, restaurants, and resorts.
- Healthcare Designer: Creating sterile yet comforting environments for patients and doctors.
- Set Designer: Working in film or theater to create immersive physical worlds.
Where Can You Work?
Interior architects are found in various professional settings:
- Architecture Firms: Working on the interior teams for large-scale building projects.
- Specialized Design Studios: Firms that focus only on luxury residential or high-end retail.
- Real Estate Developers: Planning the interiors of new apartment complexes or office parks.
- Government Agencies: Designing public spaces like libraries, schools, and airports.
- In-House for Global Brands: Companies like Starbucks or Apple have their own interior design teams.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings are generally higher than standard interior decorators because of the technical and structural knowledge required.
- Entry-Level Designers: Typically start between $50,000 and $60,000.
- Senior Interior Architects: Median annual salary of approximately $75,000–$95,000.
- Design Directors: In large firms, salaries can exceed $130,000 plus bonuses.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the technical precision. You cannot just be "good at decorating." You must understand how to read engineering drawings and ensure your designs meet strict safety laws. Studio classes are notoriously time-consuming, requiring many late nights spent building physical models and perfecting digital drawings. It requires a high level of organization and "3D thinking."
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Walk into a room and immediately start thinking about how to rearrange it
- Love looking at floor plans and blueprints
- Are interested in the "math" behind the beauty—how things stay standing
- Want a career that mixes artistic drawing with computer technology
- Care about how physical spaces affect people's mental health and happiness
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Geometry, Physics, Art, and Woodshop or Tech Ed
- Practice sketching rooms from different angles to understand perspective
- Experiment with free 3D design software like SketchUp or HomeStyler
- Visit open houses or construction sites and pay attention to how spaces are laid out
- Build a portfolio of your creative work, including drawings, models, or DIY projects
The ability to reimagine the interior of a building as a functional, safe, and beautiful machine for living is the hallmark of an interior architect.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor