Interior Design Degrees in Durham
There aren't many schools offering interior design training in the Durham area, but the two that do are located within a 30-minute drive of downtown. Review the table featuring additional details about each institution, and then learn about the coursework requirements and experiential opportunities for their programs.
- The only not-for-profit school in the Durham, NC, region with a bachelor's degree program in interior design is Meredith College, a four-year school located roughly 18 miles away in the nearby large city of Raleigh. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation accredits the school's interior design program.
- Wake Technical Community College is the next closest school to Durham offering a degree in interior design. This two-year college is located in a suburban area on the outskirts of Raleigh and is about 24 miles from central Durham. The school's career-focused associate's degree program prepares students for jobs in the interior design industry upon graduation.
Comparison of Schools
Take a look at this table to find out additional facts about the two profiled schools. Compare tuition rates, enrollment numbers, acceptance rates and more.
| Meredith College | Wake Technical Community College | |
|---|---|---|
| School Type | Four-year college; private not-for-profit | Two-year community college; public |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 1,711* | 21,299* |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large suburb |
| Tuition & Fees (2022-2023) | $42,540* | $2,768 for in-state; $8,912 for out-of-state* |
| % of First-Year, Full-Time Students Receive Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021) | 100%* | 51%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2021) | 70%* | N/A - Open admissions* |
| Retention Rate (2021) | 82% for full-time students* | 67% for full-time students* |
| Graduation Rate | 68% (Students began in 2015)* | 28% (Students began in 2018)* |
Source: *College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics.
Meredith College
This private college offers programs in a variety of fields, including one in interior design. Residential design and commercial design are the two main foci for this school's program.
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Some early courses in the program include the history of architectural interiors and furnishings, interior design visual presentations, housing issues and interior design products. Advanced coursework includes topics like technology applications for interior design, construction technology and interior lighting design. Students are required to take classes on commercial interior design, professional practices in interior design and textiles.
All interior design students participate in a mentorship program and are required to complete a design portfolio. In addition, design students can choose to enroll in a semester-long study abroad program in Denmark.
Wake Technical Community College
The Applied Engineering and Technologies department at Wake Technical Community College also offers an interior design program. Interior design majors study residential and commercial design, architectural drafting and computer-aided design (CAD).
Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design
In addition to the four standard semester terms, students in the Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design program have to complete two summer terms. The second summer term usually consists of an elective and a math and literacy course.
In a student's first year, coursework primarily covers architectural CAD, the principles and elements of design, construction materials and methods, digital architecture and graphical presentation. In the last year of the program, the curriculum shifts to topics like lighting and interior design, contract design, the history of interior design, professional research and reporting, building codes and business practices for interior design.
