by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 105 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fashion design schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study fashion design affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Fashion Design Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Fashion Design Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fashion design degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in fashion design, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Canada College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Valley College earned it the #4 place for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,526 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,902. That is a strong return on a $12,526 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $10,288. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #7 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $5,707. Fashion Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College earned the #8 position for value in fashion design this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $19,349. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Burlington County College placed #10 among the best values for fashion design. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,488. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #11 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $6,382. Fashion Design graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #12 for value in fashion design this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $30,466. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
El Paso Community College landed the #13 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Mercer County Community College placed #14 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #15 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College placed #16 among the best values for fashion design. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #17 for value in fashion design this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $19,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #18 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $40,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #19 spot for fashion design value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College earned the #20 position for value in fashion design this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Chaffey College placed #21 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #22 spot for fashion design value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #24 for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #25 spot for fashion design value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $8,978. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for fashion design this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Fashion Design. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.