Accreditation Information

The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design degree granted by Iowa State University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

Resulting Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design

It typically takes a full-time student taking approximately 15 credits per semester four years to complete the degree program.

91% of students admitted to the professional program in the fall of 2018 returned in the fall of 2020, putting attrition at 9%. Of the students graduating in 2020-2021, 97% graduated in 4 years.

96% of students admitted to the professional program in the fall of 2019 returned in the fall of 2021, putting attrition at 4%. Of the students graduating in 2021-2022, 96% graduated in 4 years.

Interior Design by the Numbers: Fall 2022/Spring 2023

Total enrollment for the current academic year: 181

First year/freshman: N/A
Second year/sophomores: 67
Third year/juniors: 57
Fourth year/seniors: 58

Iowa residents: 53%
Non-residents: 38%
International students: 8%
Male: 5%
Female: 95%

The average student to faculty ratio is 16:1
Total full-time faculty members: 10

Number of students who have completed the program and graduated in the last three academic years:

2021-22: 52
2020-21: 58
2019-20: 60

The following data was collected using institutional records and an alumni survey that was administered 1 month before graduation and again 6 months after graduation. Outcomes for 48 out of 52 alumni (92%) were known for 2021-2022.

Graduates from the past year that are employed as interiors designers, indicating specializations if known:

• Corporate: 2
• Residential: 3
• Unknown, but Interior Design: 37

88% of students with known outcomes who graduated in August 2021 through May 2022 are employed in interior design or a related profession. The career outcomes rate (employed or continuing education within six months of graduation) for 2021–2022 was 100%.

5 out of 52 students who completed the program in 2021–2022 and applied for graduate school are continuing education in a graduate program:

• Architecture: 2
• Experiential Graphic Design: 1
• Urban Design and Transport: 1
• Interior Architecture: 1