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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fashion design schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Ferris State University the best value for a degree in fashion design in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Michigan University earned it the #2 place for fashion design. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Fashion Design graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $39,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $21,064 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $26,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $40,615. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $36,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #6 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $28,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,784. Set against $28,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #7 spot for fashion design value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $36,351. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $35,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $25,851. Fashion Design graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #10 for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus College Of Art And Design landed the #11 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,825. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $27,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies placed #12 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $32,665. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.