2027 Best Value Fashion Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fashion design students.
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2027 Best Value Fashion Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fashion Design Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in fashion design in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $17,625. Fashion Design graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $19,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #2 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #4 spot this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $18,107. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Cuny Kingsborough Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $7,858. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $19,146. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $9,534. Fashion Design graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. Set against $9,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College earned the #7 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $51,280. That is a strong return on a $17,720 median debt.
Montclair State University earned the #8 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $26,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Brookdale Community College earned the #9 position for value in fashion design this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Delaware landed the #10 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $42,585. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $34,981. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #12 for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Villa Maria College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,670 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $31,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #14 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $22,046. Fashion Design graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $36,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Albright College earned the #15 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,082 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Stevenson University earned the #16 position for value in fashion design this year. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Fashion Design graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $27,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $36,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #18 among the best values for fashion design. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Fashion Design graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #19 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Fashion Design graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $46,181 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Marist College landed the #20 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,620 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,929 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $28,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Moore College Of Art And Design came in at #21 for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,674. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Moore College Of Art And Design earn a median of $20,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main landed the #22 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,845. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $40,880. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School landed the #23 spot for fashion design value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from The New School generally make around $36,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
