Best Interior Designing Colleges in India 2026: Rankings
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India’s top interior design colleges include leading institutes such as NID Ahmedabad, CEPT University, Pearl Academy, IIAD Delhi, and Sir J.J. School of Arts Mumbai.
Aspirants can evaluate government and private colleges, eligibility criteria, annual fee structures, degree formats (B.Des, BID, B.Sc, B.Voc), entrance examinations, and city-wise options to select the ideal design program.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3 Years (B.Sc / B.Voc) to 4 Years (B.Des / BID) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed 10+2 from any recognized board (Science, Commerce, or Arts) |
| Top Entrance Exams | NID DAT, CEPT Entrance Test, AIEED, MAH AAC CET, College CET |
| Government College Fee Range | INR 8,500 per year (JJ School of Arts) to INR 3.5 Lakhs expected total |
| Private College Fee Range | INR 2.45 Lakhs to INR 20.35 Lakhs total B.Des fee |
| Fresher Salary Range | INR 3 to 6 LPA (rising to 6-10 LPA after 3-5 years) |
Top Interior Design Colleges
India features several high-ranking institutes for interior architecture and spatial design. Institutes like CEPT University, Pearl Academy Mumbai, Srishti Manipal, and UID Ahmedabad hold top AAAA+ ratings from Careers360. Additionally, Anant National University, MSAP Manipal, School of Design UPES Dehradun, and World University of Design Sonipat maintain AAAA rankings. NID Ahmedabad offers premier B.Des and M.Des programs in Interior Designing with admissions based on NID DAT at an average annual fee of INR 3,54,000. IIAD Delhi partners with Kingston University London to offer BA and MA programs at INR 4,87,000 per year, while Pearl Academy operates across Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, and Jaipur with an average annual fee of INR 6,89,000.
At least 672 colleges offer Interior Design programs across India, spanning both government and private ownership formats.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis Skills & Open University | Pune | — | ₹8.10 lakh | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana | — | ₹65,510 | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Manipal University Manipal | Manipal | — | ₹1.75 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | — | ₹14.00 lakh | 8 (Overall, 2025) |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | — | ₹61,905 | 10 (Overall, 2025) |
| SRM Institute of Technology | Kanchipuram | Private | ₹6.10 lakh | 11 (Overall, 2025) |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar | — | ₹5.63 lakh | 17 (Overall, 2025) |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹8.77 lakh | 19 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amity University Noida | Noida | — | ₹9.12 lakh | 22 (Overall, 2025) |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar | Private | ₹3.00 lakh | 31 (Overall, 2025) |
Government Interior Design Colleges
Government interior design institutes offer subsidized, high-quality design education across the country. Sir J.J. School of Arts in Mumbai is among the most affordable options, charging an annual fee of INR 8,500 based on MAH AAC CET scores. Other state and central universities provide accessible programs; Mumbai University, CSJMU Kanpur, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and UIET Kanpur charge expected fees between INR 50,000 and 1 Lakh. Institutions such as DAVV Indore, JNVU Jodhpur, and RTMNU Nagpur offer courses ranging from INR 1 to 1.5 Lakhs in total fees, while MSU Baroda and Government Polytechnic Nashik charge INR 2 to 3 Lakhs.
Across government institutions with available fee data, the median total course fee is ₹82,020, with the middle half falling between ₹14,988 and ₹1.60 lakh.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rajasthan | Jaipur | Government | ₹8,560 |
| Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University | Nashik | Government | ₹14,988 |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University | Lucknow | Government | ₹80,700 |
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Government | ₹82,020 |
| CSJM Kanpur University | Kanpur | Government | ₹93,600 |
| Eklavya University | Damoh | Government | ₹1.60 lakh |
| Indian Institute of Crafts and Design | Jaipur | Government | ₹6.46 lakh |
Private Interior Design Colleges
Private interior design institutes provide specialized studio space, international collaborations, and modern software training. Among top-tier private choices, UPES Dehradun charges a total fee of INR 20.35 Lakhs for its 4-year B.Des in Interior and Retail Spaces. Anant National University in Ahmedabad charges INR 18.01 Lakhs for its B.Des in Space Design, while World University of Design Sonipat charges INR 12.80 Lakhs. MSAP Manipal charges INR 9.04 Lakhs for its B.Des in Interior Design.
For students seeking moderate fee structures, ACFA Jalandhar offers B.Des Interior at INR 4.22 Lakhs total fee, and Deccan Institute of Technology Kolhapur charges INR 2.45 Lakhs. Across private colleges with fee data, the median total course fee stands at ₹2.42 lakh, with the middle 50% between ₹1.20 lakh and ₹3.87 lakh. The median average placement package across reporting colleges is 2.94 LPA.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | Average package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moradabad Institute of Technology | Moradabad | Private | ₹1.72 lakh | 4 LPA |
| Inspiria Knowledge Campus | Siliguri | Private | ₹4.15 lakh | 3.45 LPA |
| Fergusson College | Pune | Private (aided) | ₹73,000 | 3 LPA |
| Thakur College of Science and Commerce | Mumbai | Private (aided) | ₹84,063 | 2.94 LPA |
| Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science | Navi Mumbai | Private (aided) | ₹2.63 lakh | 2.9 LPA |
| JD Birla Institute | Kolkata | Private | ₹8.03 lakh | 2.9 LPA |
| Institute of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Development | Kolkata | Private | ₹5.60 lakh | 2.48 LPA |
| Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College | Mumbai | Private (aided) | ₹3.65 lakh | 1.99 LPA |
| AM Jain College | Chennai | Private (aided) | ₹1.70 lakh | 1.62 LPA |
| GS Mandal’s Marathwada Institute of Technology | Aurangabad | Private | ₹1.70 lakh | 1.4 LPA |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rajasthan | Jaipur | Government | ₹8,560 |
| Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University | Nashik | Government | ₹14,988 |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University | Lucknow | Government | ₹80,700 |
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Government | ₹82,020 |
| CSJM Kanpur University | Kanpur | Government | ₹93,600 |
| Eklavya University | Damoh | Government | ₹1.60 lakh |
| Indian Institute of Crafts and Design | Jaipur | Government | ₹6.46 lakh |
Top Interior Design Colleges by City
Design education is heavily concentrated in major metropolitan and industrial hubs. Maharashtra leads the country with 166 colleges, followed by Karnataka with 55 colleges, Rajasthan with 51 colleges, Gujarat with 48 colleges, Uttar Pradesh with 46 colleges, and Madhya Pradesh with 39 colleges.
Key educational centers like Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, and Nagpur offer diverse options ranging from traditional university degrees to specialized vocational diplomas.
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 55 | ₹60,000 – ₹34.41 lakh | Mumbai University, Amity University Mumbai |
| Bangalore | 40 | ₹50,000 – ₹17.24 lakh | Alliance University, Jain University |
| Pune | 38 | ₹73,000 – ₹14.00 lakh | Dr. DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Fergusson College |
| Delhi | 36 | ₹72,000 – ₹12.40 lakh | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Pearl Academy West Campus |
| Hyderabad | 29 | ₹70,000 – ₹28.95 lakh | Woxsen University, Malla Reddy University |
| Jaipur | 28 | ₹8,560 – ₹12.20 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, University of Rajasthan |
| Chennai | 21 | ₹49,170 – ₹12.48 lakh | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute |
| Nagpur | 19 | ₹65,000 – ₹2.88 lakh | Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Inter National Institute of Fashion Design Ambazari |
Interior Design Degrees After 12th: B.Des, BID, B.Sc & B.Voc
- Bachelor of Interior Design (BID): A 4-year professional undergraduate degree covering spatial design, materials, lighting, and structural systems.
- B.Des in Interior Design: A 4-year undergraduate degree focusing on creative exploration, critical thinking, and studio-based design education.
- B.Sc in Interior Design: A 3-year degree focusing on technical, scientific, lighting, acoustic, and environmental sustainability aspects.
- B.Voc in Interior Design: A 3-year vocational degree designed to build practical technical readiness for fast entry into the design industry. Colleges offering it in Pune include Anantrao Pawar College of Architecture, Prof Ramkrishna More College, and Srajan College of Design, while SNDT Womens University Mumbai and Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture Navi Mumbai offer it in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Students from Science, Commerce, or Arts streams who passed Class 12 are eligible for B.Des, B.Sc, BID, and B.Voc interior design programs.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Fashion Technology | Bangalore | Private | ₹50,000 |
| IIFA Multimedia | Bangalore | — | ₹1.10 lakh |
| Inter National Institute of Fashion Design Bhilai | Bhilai | — | ₹64,310 |
How to Choose a Interior Design College
Selecting the right interior design college requires evaluating curriculum focus, placement records, studio infrastructure, and software training. Fresh interior design graduates earn average starting salaries between INR 3 to 6 LPA. Salary levels grow to INR 6 to 10 LPA after 3 to 5 years of professional industry experience, while independent freelancers and luxury project consultants command higher earnings.
Key career tracks include Residential Interior Designer, Commercial Interior Designer, Set Designer, and Design Entrepreneur. Aspirants should ensure the college curriculum covers essential industry tools including AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop, and 3D modeling platforms.
How to Apply for Interior Design Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Verify Eligibility Criteria: Ensure completion of Class 12 (HSC) from any recognized board (Arts, Science, or Commerce stream). Prior sketching or software experience is not mandatory.
- Select Target Degree Format: Choose between 4-year B.Des / BID programs for comprehensive design theory, 3-year B.Sc programs for technical focus, or 3-year B.Voc degrees for fast industry skill-building.
- Register & Appear for Entrance Exams: Apply for relevant design entrance exams such as NID DAT, CEPT Entrance Test, AIEED (Arch College), MAH AAC CET (JJ School of Arts), or institute CETs.
- Submit Online Applications & Interest Statement: Fill out application forms on institute portals (e.g., NIF South Mumbai, Pearl Academy, IIAD) and submit write-ups explaining career intent.
- Complete Counselling & Studio Aptitude Tests: Participate in orientation calls, studio evaluations, or creative aptitude sessions to showcase visual thinking and spatial problem-solving.
- Verify Documents and Pay Tuition Fees: Submit required 12th mark sheets and photo ID verification documents, and pay admission fees according to the institute fee schedule to confirm your seat.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Interior Design colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
Which degree is best for interior designing?
B.Des in Interior Design and Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) are 4-year professional degrees offering deep spatial, material, and structural training. B.Voc (3 years) offers hands-on practical skills, while B.Sc focuses on technical and acoustic aspects.
How can I get into interior designing?
Pass Class 12 in any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce), choose a degree (B.Des, BID, B.Sc, or B.Voc), apply to recognized institutes, and appear for entrance exams like NID DAT, CEPT Entrance Test, AIEED, or institute CETs.
Is interior designer salary good in India?
Yes. Fresh interior design graduates earn between INR 3 to 6 LPA. Salary rises to INR 6 to 10 LPA with 3 to 5 years of experience, while independent freelancers and luxury project designers command higher earnings.
What are some government colleges in Delhi and India for interior design?
Top government institutions offering interior design programs include Sir J.J. School of Arts Mumbai, Mumbai University, MSU Baroda, DAVV Indore, CSJMU Kanpur, and AMU Aligarh, with annual fees starting from INR 8,500.
Which course is best for interior design after 12th?
After 12th, students can choose a 4-year B.Des in Interior Design or BID for conceptual design, a 3-year B.Sc in Interior Design for technical training, or a 3-year B.Voc in Interior Design for fast-track vocational training.
