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What can you do with a Interior Design degree from Iowa State University?

First, some facts. Of the Interior Design graduates from Iowa State 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Interior Design graduates from Iowa State University have a much higher likelihood (+19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 86%
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 0% 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 Iowa State University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 97%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Design Studio Specialist
Pottery Barn
Jun 2015 - Dec 2015
The role of Design Studio Specialist at Pottery Barn may involve some transferable skills related to design, but it does not require the core qualifications of an Interior Design degree on a daily basis.

Interior Designer
Meghan Blum Interiors
Jan 2016 - Jan 2020
As an Interior Designer at Meghan Blum Interiors, the job directly applies the skills and knowledge obtained from the Interior Design degree, requiring specific design expertise regularly.

Owner & Interior Designer
Jeid Studio
Jan 2020 - Present
The position of Owner & Interior Designer at Jeid Studio utilizes extensive interior design knowledge and skills acquired through the BFA, making it highly relevant to the degree.

ABOUT

When I sit down and consider what a home should be, the words that come to mind are personal, comfortable and beautiful. Whether you consider yourself a homebody or not, I believe a home should be so inviting, you cant help but want to spend your time there. Designing a home for a new client is like solving a big, beautiful puzzle. I love the process of learning who that individual is, what they stand for, how they live and what they are passionate about. Translating that into layouts, shapes, textures, colors, and patterns is something my heart will never tire of because it is unique every time. Design isnt just my occupation, its also my joy.As a designer, Im so privileged to have the honor of transforming houses into homes. Having a hand in developing such a sacred space is something I do not take lightly. Home is the backdrop and foundation for your lifes most precious stories and memories.For me, a space that functions seamlessly for my clients life is just as essential as a space that reflects my clients aesthetic. This principle is at the heart of my design approach. I dont accept the concept that things can either function well or be beautiful they can be both. But it does take a trained eye and respect for the details to execute it properly.Good design can be intentional, beautiful and personal without being so expensive youd die if anything happened to it. The dream of owning my own company and designing a firm to work with and for my clients regardless of their financial situation began to dominate conversations with my husband. My passion and creativity is a gift and Im so thankful Im able to do this for a living.

What jobs can you get with a Interior Design degree from Iowa State University?

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

People who graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Interior Design have ventured into a variety of roles, but there’s a noticeable trend towards positions that heavily incorporate interior design knowledge and skills. For instance, many graduates have secured job titles like "Interior Designer," "Lead Designer," and "Project Manager" within architecture and design firms. Jobs as Interior Designers or associated roles allow them to apply their training in real-world settings, diving deep into the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Other common roles like "Design Consultant" or "Design Assistant" also show a strong connection, using the expertise gained from their studies quite directly. On the flip side, there are instances where graduates have taken on positions that aren't so relevant to their degree, such as administrative roles or technical positions not focused on interior design, like CAD drafting or sales jobs. However, these seem to be outliers compared to the more prevalent career paths that align closely with their educational background. Overall, it seems that the majority of these graduates have found jobs that either directly relate to interior design or still involve design principles, making the degree quite valuable in the job market.

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 Iowa State University):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Iowa State University's Interior Design program, it seems like they're generally doing pretty well in terms of landing relevant jobs right out of school. Many of them kick off their careers as interior designers or in related design roles, like design assistants or project coordinators. Over the first few years—let's say five years in—they often advance within their companies or transition to other design firms, moving up to positions like senior designer or lead designer. It’s clear that they’re building on their foundational skills and experience pretty quickly, which is a solid sign of growth in the field.

Fast forward to around ten years after graduation, and you can see that a good number of these grads have taken on more significant roles. Positions like project managers, senior designers, or even owners of their own design firms pop up frequently. Some even break into specialized roles, such as lighting designers or product managers in design-related industries. Overall, while a few have ventured off the traditional path—like teaching or even branching into other disciplines—the bulk of these graduates seem to be finding their way back into meaningful careers related to interior design, making a decent living, and contributing creatively to their fields. So, if you're thinking about studying interior design, this data is pretty encouraging!

How hard is a Interior Design degree from Iowa State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design can be pretty challenging, and Iowa State University’s program is no different. You’re going to be diving into a mix of creative design, technical skills, and some serious problem-solving. Expect to juggle design projects, learn about building codes, and get your hands dirty with software like AutoCAD. The workload can be pretty heavy, especially during project deadlines, but it also offers a lot of hands-on experience. So, while it might not be the hardest degree out there, it's definitely not a walk in the park—you’ll need to be ready to put in the effort and embrace the learning curve!

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 Iowa State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Iowa State Interior Design grads, it seems like they're generally doing pretty well for themselves. Most of them have moved up through different roles and companies, which often indicates good career growth in a field that's all about creativity and client relationships. Some are even running their own design firms, which can be quite lucrative if they play their cards right. However, there are also some who have bounced around a bit, and that could suggest they might not have hit those higher salary brackets yet. Overall, it's a mixed bag, but many appear to be comfortably making a living in a field they enjoy.

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 Iowa State 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