New York School of Interior Design is a private, not-for-profit college devoted to the design of the interior environment.
Our guiding principle is that the successful design of an interior space improves human welfare, and that the interior design profession assumes an important role in ensuring that spaces are beautiful, functional, healthy, safe, and built in a socially and environmentally conscientious way.
We are proud of our history, our esteemed faculty, and our dedicated professionals, who, year after year, provide the environment and support to help our students realize their dreams.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission Statement
NYSID nurtures design talent and fosters creativity, curiosity and critical thinking, preparing its students to improve the lives of people and communities through design.
Vision Statement
NYSID inspires designers to challenge convention, expand the possibilities of design and lead the profession forward.
Values Statement
NYSID Values:
Creativity
Curiosity
Community
Excellence
Leadership
Resilience
Strategic Planning
As The New York School of Interior Design embarked upon its triannual exercise of planning for its future, it did so in a time when the only reliable constant is rapid change. What is unique in this cycle of planning is the breadth of change confronting the institution. Although it is challenging to plan for an unpredictable future, the elements of the process make the exercise valuable. The fact that this process has become routine for NYSID positions the college to better understand and address change. Strategic planning is an analytic and consensus-building procedure that affords an opportunity for important communal conversations to take place that may be lost in the day-to-day operations of an academic institution. Reviewing the institution’s successes and areas of growth in the past three years provides a foundation upon which to build. Identifying desired improvements and determining the collective will and resources needed to execute them focuses the college community on an agreed upon path forward. Soliciting the voices and opinions of representatives from all the NYSID stakeholders including students, alumni, staff, faculty, trustees and friends of the college creates a broader understanding of the challenges NYSID is facing and solidifies preparedness.
The college has addressed many societal, industry and demographic changes during its more than 110-year-old history and continues to maintain its reputation as a premier destination for those seeking knowledge about interior design. All of the impending threats to providing outstanding education that were identified in the strategic plan’s environmental scan three years ago have become reality; the volatile global economy, the predicted drop in the college age population and the public questioning of the value of a college education amidst increasing political influences. Because NYSID recognized these factors and began preparing for them three years ago, the college is in a stronger position to address what the future brings.
NYSID understands its strengths. Enhancing them to ensure delivering a superior level of interior design education to those who are interested in it and meeting students’ needs in a personally tailored way remain priorities. The college continues to strengthen its interior design industry relationships to facilitate its students’ transition into their respective career paths. Academic and experiential offerings to those currently working in the industry are consistently evaluated and updated to meet changing needs in the workplace. The college remains a sought-after resource for those exploring a personal interest in interior design.
With this renewed focus on what it does best and dedication to making it even better, NYSID’s 2026-2029 strategic plan will serve as a well charted road map to its future.
At-a-Glance
Founded: 1916
Chartered: 1924
Degree Granting Authority: 1976
Founder: Mr. Sherrill Whiton
President: Mr. David Sprouls
Board of Trustees Chairman: Ellen Kravet
Setting: Metropolitan (Manhattan, New York)
Enrollment: 573 (440 undergraduate, 133 graduate)
Average student age: 30.1
Student-to-faculty Ratio: 11:1
Total Faculty Members: 110
New York School of Interior Design is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Job Placement Rate
Undergraduate: 92%
Of the 20 BFA graduates located from 2023-2024, 16 (71%) were employed, one (6%) was pursuing further education, and three (18%) were still seeking employment. Among the employed BFA graduates, 100% were employed in jobs that were discipline related.
Graduate: 94%
Of the 38 professional level MFA graduates located from 2023-2024, 36 (95%) were employed and two (5%) were still seeking employment. Among the employed MFA graduates, 97% were employed in jobs that were discipline related.
International Students
Percentage of international students: 14%
Countries represented: 34
Academic Programs
Chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1924, NYSID is authorized by the Board of Regents to confer the Basic Interior Design certificate (on-site and online), the degrees of Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design (on-site and online), Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design (on-site and online), Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design (on-site and online), Master of Professional Studies in Digital Practice Management (online), Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design (on-site and online), and Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments (on-site and online).
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Accreditation
The New York School of Interior Design is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000). The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The New York School of Interior Design is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design (BFA) and the professional-level Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA1) is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The BFA and MFA1 granted by the New York School of Interior Design meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about the NCIDQ exam visit their site.
Professional Memberships
American Council on Education (ACE)
Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities (AGB)
Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD)
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU)
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
Consumer Information
This page provides links to information about New York School of Interior Design, as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.