Compare 17 Interior Architecture. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $56,828. Top programs: $69,657+.
With top graduates earning $69,657, Interior Architecture stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $12K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 17 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not school reputation.
Auburn University leads the Interior Architecture rankings, with graduates earning $69,657—well above the $56,828 field average. Close behind, Thomas Jefferson University (a lesser-known Philadelphia private) delivers $68,753, nearly matching Auburn while admitting over 80% of applicants. Regional publics dominate this list: six of the top ten programs are public universities.
For students borrowing on their own, Thomas Jefferson University sets the standard: $14,744 in student debt and a 4.4% payment burden earns it an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. When family borrowing enters the picture, California State University-Sacramento leads—graduates carry just 12.0% in combined family payment burden, landing in the 'Good' tier. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $69,657
Strong outcomes ($68,753) with 81% acceptance
4.4% payment burden | Excellent
12.0% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $69,657 | 13 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Challenging |
| #2 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrivate | $68,753 | 17 | $14,744 | Excellent | $32,255 | Manageable |
| #3 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $67,227 | 17 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Challenging |
| #4 | $65,144 | 32 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $62,201 | 25 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $61,894 | 45 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $61,421 | 29 | $22,142 | Excellent | $25,567 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $61,410 | 49 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Good | |
| #9 | $61,356 | 20 | $20,500 | Excellent | $13,859 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $58,518 | 35 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $53,592 | 21 | $25,000 | Good | $25,947 | Challenging | |
| #12 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $52,854 | 21 | $27,000 | Manageable | $54,414 | High |
| #13 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $52,693 | 11 | $24,000 | Good | $17,049 | Challenging |
| #14 | Marywood UniversityPrivate | $50,266 | 12 | $26,186 | Manageable | $30,588 | High |
| #15 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $44,021 | 21 | $23,000 | Manageable | $34,512 | High |
| #16 | La Roche UniversityPrivate | $42,682 | 6 | $25,000 | Manageable | $27,867 | High |
| #17 | Chatham UniversityPrivate | $32,382 | 15 | $23,250 | High | $31,699 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
