Rio Hondo College, located in Whittier, offers one course that covers interior design entitled Fashion and Interiors, combining the two disciplines. The course includes fashion design, merchandising, furnishings and interior design. The course is suitable for high school graduates and serves as preparation for a four-year degree at university. Rio Hondo College has around 600 students from various different ethnicities, making it a cosmopolitan place to study. Additionally, students with children can benefit from a children's center on campus while they study, as well as parking.
Westwood College offers a bachelor's degree in Interior Design that incorporates commercial interiors, residential interiors, space planning and lighting. It is possible to complete the degree in three years, and the aim is to prepare students for designing all interior aspects of a property. Westwood offers its students free tutoring, and there are sporting events, dances and other social activities that are open to everyone. There are various campuses located within a 20 minute drive from Whittier, in Anaheim, Los Angeles, Torrance and Upland.
The Interior Designers Institute is situated in Newport Beach, about a 25-minute drive away from Whittier, and offers various courses: Certificate in Interior Design, Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design and Master of Arts Degree in Interior Design. Students must have graduated from high school, but do not need any prior design qualifications. This college has links to the industry and is able to offer students placements in relevant companies as part of their course of study.
The Art Institute of California is situated in Santa Monica, 25 minutes away from Whittier. The Institute offers a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Interior Design, which covers residential design as well as lighting, textiles, space planning and computerized designing. The Art Institute of California prides itself on having small classes of up to 35 students, thereby offering a more personalized level of teaching. Students have access to fully equipped kitchens, a large library and a student lounge.