U.S. and World News Report rated RISD (risd.edu) as the number one interior design college for graduate studies and number three photography college for graduate studies in 2008. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD was founded in 1877. The curriculum for both areas of study combines art and studio design with a liberal-arts emphasis to encourage students to cultivate critical thinking and confidence for self expression through speech and writing. The diverse spectrum of programs bases its curriculum on rigorous research to encourage each student to develop his own vision to contribute to contemporary culture.
Charles Pratt, a successful businessman and philanthropist, opened the school in 1887 in Brooklyn, New York, for students to learn skillful trades using their hands. In line with its original mission, Pratt Institute (pratt.edu) seeks to instill within each student its motto: "Be True To Your Work, And Your Work Will Be True To You."
Pratt offers associate's, undergraduate and graduate programs for photography and undergraduate and graduate programs for interior design. U.S. and World News Report ranked Pratt's graduate program for interior design number one in 2008. Students who begin the undergraduate program in photography major in film/video and photography and elect to concentrate in photography while surveying the other areas of media. The undergraduate program in interior design encourages students to explore philosophical, ethical, aesthetic and professional modes of inquiry throughout the curriculum.
Parsons (newschool.edu/parsons) offers a bachelor's and master's of fine arts in both photography and interior design. In 1919, The New School was founded in New York City as a private institution with the expectation for students to promote ideals such as peace through academic merit, mastery of skills and social responsibility. Parson's bachelor's in interior design advocates a research-based curriculum to cultivate students for the real-world marketplace. Seniors have the opportunity to work on an exclusive project for a nonprofit client. The bachelor's program in photography encourages students to create works drawing inspiration from multimedia in society. Students can partner with professionals in multiple fields such as fashion models and clothing designers to hone and refine skills in their areas of expertise.
RIT (rit.edu) is a private institution founded in 1829. It holds U.S. and World News Reports' number-seven ranking as Best Colleges of 2011 in the North region of the United States and a number-three ranking for its graduate photography program in 2008.
The undergraduate program in interior design is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research. The program integrates studio classes with liberal arts and art- and design-history courses. The photography program, part of the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, provides career-oriented programs covering the history of photography through to innovative digital imaging and techniques.