by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fashion design students.
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 Michigan. 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.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $39,077. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #3. 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. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $28,175 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes College For Creative Studies one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,350 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from College For Creative Studies generally make around $32,665. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. College For Creative Studies admits about 92% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.