CIDA Accreditation Data

Iowa State University Interior Design program

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.

Interior Design by the Numbers: Fall 2021/Spring 2022

Total enrollment for the current academic year: 181

First year/freshman: 2
Second year/sophomores: 64
Third year/juniors: 59
Fourth year/seniors: 58
Iowa residents: 49%
Non-residents: 39%
International students: 12%
Male: 12%
Female: 88%

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:
2020-21: 58
2019-20: 60
2018-19: 63

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 55 out of 58 alumni (95%) were known for 2020-2021.

Graduates from the past year that are employed as interiors designers, indicating specializations if known:
Corporate: 1
Residential: 5
Unknown, but Interior Design: 43

86% of students who graduated in August 2020 through May 2021 are employed in interior design or a related profession. Career outcomes rate (employed or continuing education) for 2020–2021 the rate was 98%.

3 out of 58 students who completed the program in 2020–2021 and applied for graduate school are continuing education in a graduate program:
Architecture: 1
Interior Design: 2