by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for fashion design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fashion design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Mercer County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fashion design schools in New Jersey. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #2. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. 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. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Bergen Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #3 spot this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $51,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,720 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Brookdale Community College, which ranked #4. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #5 place for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $26,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.