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Interior design is an art form that revolves around the interior, and sometimes exterior, of a home or building.
Interior designers mesh creativity with the technical prowess to create emotionally and visually appealing spaces.
In this field, you will typically collaborate with engineers, architects, and contractors to make the vision of the client come to life.
You can work as a freelancer once you earn a reputation and field experience, or as part of a design firm.
To be successful, you must learn about structural requirements and building codes, design software, and design elements like space and lighting.
Almost all professionals hold a bachelor’s degree in interior design or architecture, with a smaller number holding a master’s degree.
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State Requirements for Interior Designers
The State of Florida requires licensure to become an interior designer.
Before earning your license, you must show proof of field experience with a licensed professional and education, and complete the National Council of Interior Design (NCIDQ) examination.
To become licensed, you must have six total years of work experience and education.
CIDA-accredited interior design educational programs required four years to complete since they are bachelor’s degrees, so you would only need to complete two years of work under a licensed interior designer before becoming eligible for licensure.
5 Interior Design Schools in Florida
Florida International University
The least expensive school on this list is Florida International University with a tuition price of around $10,000.
However, do not let the low price tag fool you, the acceptance rate is only 58%, which is fairly competitive in the college universe.
The school offers a Bachelor of Interior Design, which was created to be completed within four years, along with an internship.
Florida State University
Near the top of the best interior design schools in the state is Florida State University.
This public institution has a competitive acceptance rate of 49%.
Florida State offers two degrees: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, both of which cost around $22,000 per year and are CIDA accredited.
These programs require a four-year commitment to complete 120 credit hours and are competitive to start.
The 120 educational credit hours are accompanied by internships in the field.
Miami International University of Art and Design
With locations in Miami and Tampa, both of which offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree, Miami International University of Art and Design requires students to complete 180 educational credit hours and one internship to gain real-world experience.
This degree was created to be completed within four years.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Ringling College of Art and Design is a not-for-profit private university in Sarasota, Florida.
Although this school is small with only 367 bachelor’s degree students, the interior design program is one of the best in Florida.
The acceptable rate is around 63% and the yearly tuition is a whopping $65,000.
University of Florida
Considered one of the top interior design schools in the state, the University of Florida has competitive admission criteria with an acceptance rate of only 42%.
Tuition for a bachelor’s degree in interior design will cost around $21,000 without room and board.
Interior Design Schools in Florida – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | 420 Lincoln Road, Suite 440 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 |
| FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY | 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306 |
| Miami International University of Art & Design | 1501 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33132-1418 |
| Ringling College of Art + Design | 2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234-5895 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL 32611 |
Salary
The median U.S. salary for an entry-level interior designer is around $49,000 with pay ranging from $29,000 to $58,000.
The median salary in Florida is fairly close to the national average at $48,000, with pay ranging from $29,000 to $56,000.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $46,223 |
| Miami | $47,477 |
| Tampa | $46,418 |
| St. Petersburg | $46,428 |
| Hialeah | $47,111 |
| Orlando | $46,394 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $47,360 |
| Tallahassee | $44,233 |
| Hollywood | $47,360 |
| Pembroke Pines | $47,052 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 360 | $60,750 | $29.21 | $106,270 | $35,980 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 80 | $56,870 | $27.34 | $83,880 | $30,680 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 60 | $54,400 | $26.15 | $75,720 | $34,250 |
| Gainesville, FL | 40 | $65,310 | $31.4 | $87,420 | $35,210 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 330 | $62,840 | $30.21 | $98,660 | $31,780 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 100 | $61,820 | $29.72 | $93,260 | $32,660 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 2,670 | $67,450 | $32.43 | $97,150 | $38,240 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 380 | $77,160 | $37.1 | $129,770 | $32,960 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 300 | $63,770 | $30.66 | $86,120 | $35,690 |
| Ocala, FL | 50 | $56,680 | $27.25 | $102,950 | $36,500 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 930 | $63,030 | $30.3 | $126,550 | $28,580 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 80 | $53,630 | $25.79 | $87,710 | $31,800 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 70 | $55,020 | $26.45 | $78,270 | $29,210 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 80 | $54,450 | $26.18 | $90,260 | $27,040 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 50 | $54,430 | $26.17 | $77,800 | $24,460 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 30 | $54,360 | $26.13 | $74,890 | $32,390 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 650 | $64,570 | $31.04 | $101,050 | $36,100 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for the NCIDQ exam?
The examination is split into three sections: IDFX (Interior Design Fundamentals Exam), IDPX (Interior Design Professional Exam), and PRAC (Practicum Exam).
The fee to apply for all three sections is $225.
Once applied to the examinations, you must register and complete all parts within a 10-week window.
This timing window begins with the first exam following registration.
The costs to take the different exams (in addition to the application fee) are $295 for the IDFX exam, $350 for the IDPX exam, and $455 for the PRAC exam.
If you cancel any exam after signing up, there is a $150 cancellation fee per exam.
Once you have completed all exams, you receive the certification.
Each year, Florida requires you to pay $75 to renew the certification along with proof of 10 continuing education credit hours.
What are the application fees for licensure?
After showing proof of work experience, education, and passing the NCIDQ exam, you are permitted to apply for the interior design license.
The application fee for licensure is $30, but your license must be renewed every two years for $125 and proof of 20 continuing education hours.
Where are the best interior design jobs in Florida located?
Interior designers in Florida have the most opportunities in larger cities like Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale.
Licensed interior designers can work as space planners, consultants, interior design assistants, and interior designers in residential and commercial locations.
In the higher wealth areas of the state, like Naples, clients are looking for more luxurious designing, so those located in these areas can make almost double the average interior designer salary in other cities.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State