Top Ten Interior Design Schools

The actual list of top ten interior design schools will vary from year to year, but what doesn't vary much are the criteria that define a really good design school. Some of these characteristics include:

• A multidisciplinary curriculum. Being an interior designer involves a multitude of skills. A program that teaches problem solving and business fundamentals as well as design basics will help you immensely in your career.
   
• Experienced and dedicated faculty. The best interior design programs have faculty who are not only experienced designers, but also dedicated educators who continue to learn and grow in their areas of expertise.
   
• An environment that teaches collaboration. Interior designers must often work with a range of other professionals, particularly architects and engineers, in order to achieve their design objectives.
   
• Opportunities for hands-on experience. Whether it's an internship, a study abroad program or some other form of work experience, a practical hands-on approach can increase your job marketability upon graduation.
   
• Awareness of the latest design trends. Schools whose instructors stay abreast of trends such as sustainable interior design and ergonomic design can pass that timely knowledge on to their students and prepare them for career success.

Do you really need to attend one of the top ten interior design schools in order to get a good job? The answer is no, not necessarily. Choosing a school has a great deal to do with your own individual goals. Whether your chosen program makes the top ten list is only one element in the decision-making process. When you're researching interior design schools, you'll want to see how they measure up to the criteria above, as well as a number of other important factors:

• Accreditation: Interior design schools that meet the set guidelines for a quality education are usually accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation or the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
   
• Cost: Does the school you're looking at fit your budget? Do they offer scholarships, grants or work-study design programs in order to ease the tuition cost?
   
• Location and Scheduling: Do the interior design schools in your area offer programs that meet your needs? Are you willing to relocate to attend school? If you're working while attending school, does the program offer evening or online courses?

Find the right interior design school for you. Request information to learn more about their programs, and get started today.