What can you do with a Interior Design degree from East Carolina University?

First, some facts. Of the Interior Design graduates from East Carolina University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Interior Design graduates from East Carolina University have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 70%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 10% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Interior Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Interior Design graduate from East Carolina University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Interior Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Interior Designer
Signature Jordan LLC/ Coastal Fog
Aug 2014 - Present
The position of Interior Designer directly applies the knowledge and skills acquired from a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, requiring expertise in design principles and practices on a daily basis.

ABOUT

I'm [NAME REMOVED] Watts, I have recently graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. I am interested in residential design, furniture design, and hospitality design. However, I am always open to new experiences with any kind of design!I really enjoy sketching and rendering, but I am experienced in Auto Cad 2012, Revit, and Photoshop. My plans for the future include working at my new place of employment Signature Jordan LLC/ Coastal Fog.I have a student/personal website http://wattsl10.wix.com/laurencate which displays my work as a student and artist, so please feel free view!

What jobs can you get with a Interior Design degree from East Carolina University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Based on the job data from graduates of East Carolina University with a degree in Interior Design, it’s clear that many of them have found roles directly tied to the field. Common positions include Interior Designers, Kitchen Designers, and various roles related to design consulting and project management. Most of these jobs, like Interior Designer at HDR or Senior Interior Designer at Performance Kitchens & Home, demonstrate a strong link to what they learned in school, allowing alumni to apply their design principles and creative skills effectively in everyday tasks. In particular, many graduates have pursued careers that involve designing residential spaces, working with healthcare settings, or managing design projects.

However, not every job listed is closely related to interior design. Some roles, like Promotional Specialist or Graduate Assistant in unrelated fields, show a significant deviation from the core skills taught in an Interior Design program. While there are some positions that may leverage transferable skills—such as organization or client interaction—these aren’t fully utilizing the specific knowledge from their degree. Overall, while many graduates are successfully carving out paths in the interior design world, there is also a noticeable number who have strayed into roles where their degree isn't as relevant.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Interior Design graduates (this is across all Interior Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to East Carolina University):

What kind of career trajectories do Interior Design graduates from East Carolina University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From what I can see, graduates from East Carolina University's Interior Design program tend to follow a pretty decent trajectory in their careers, particularly in those first few years after college. A lot of them land internships or entry-level positions in interior design, which seems to be the typical starting point. For example, several graduates from around 2010 to 2014 began their careers as interns or junior designers and then swiftly moved up to more significant roles like project managers or design directors within five years. It’s clear that those who capitalize on their early experiences in internships tend to find stable and relevant positions in the field shortly after graduating.

However, it’s important to note that not everyone sticks strictly to interior design. Some graduates have taken roles outside of the field or moved into project management and consultancy, which might not directly relate to what they studied. For instance, a couple of graduates ended up in positions completely unrelated to design after a few years. But overall, the majority of positions seem to stay within the realm of design or closely affiliated roles. So, it seems that if you’re looking to dive into a career related to interior design after at East Carolina, there’s a solid chance you’ll find yourself on a rewarding path, whether that's straight-up designing or taking on management roles as you gain experience. Just be ready to adapt, because some of the jobs may not look exactly like what you pictured when you were dreaming of that design career!

How hard is a Interior Design degree from East Carolina University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at East Carolina University, or really anywhere, can be pretty challenging but also super rewarding! You’ll dive into a mix of creative and technical courses, which means you’ll be sketching, learning about color theory, and tackling design software—all of which can take some time to get the hang of. On top of that, there are often projects and critiques that can feel intense, especially when you’re trying to balance multiple assignments at once. That said, if you’re passionate about design and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find it manageable and even fun! So, while it’s not a walk in the park, it’s definitely doable for someone who loves getting into the nitty-gritty of creating beautiful spaces.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Interior Design.

Do Interior Design graduates from East Carolina University tend to make good money?

Looking at these East Carolina University interior design grads, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to how much money they’re making. The earlier graduates, like the one who went from an intern to a senior designer and now a rep, likely saw their salary climb pretty nicely over the years. Others, like the one who went from a store manager and babysitter, might be getting by but probably aren’t raking in big bucks. There are a few who seem to be advancing their careers quickly, especially those stepping into ownership or leadership roles, which is a sign they’re likely earning decent salaries now. But with the industry being so competitive and some graduates taking on roles that are less design-focused, not every grad is cashing in. Overall, it sounds like some are doing well financially, while others might be just making ends meet or slowly climbing the ladder.

What buzzwords do Interior Design graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Interior Design (this is across all Interior Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to East Carolina University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Interior Design?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Interior Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Interior Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Fashion Institute of Technology 93 12
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 92 16
Kent State University 90 13
Savannah College of Art and Design 89 21
Design Institute of San Diego 89 10
Iowa State University 86 13
Pratt Institute 83 11
Cazenovia College 79 15
Purdue University 74 11
The Art Institutes 74 20
San Francisco State University 73 10
East Carolina University 70 10
Harrington College of Design 70 14
Texas State University 67 11
Radford University 47 10