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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 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.
Cuny Queens College earned the #1 spot for value among fashion design schools in New York. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Kingsborough Community College one of the best values for fashion design. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $19,146 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $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 Mohawk Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Fashion Institute Of Technology one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Villa Maria College came in at #6 for value in fashion design this year. Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $28,670. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Villa Maria College generally make around $31,909. Set against $15,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #7 spot for fashion design value this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Students borrow a median of $22,046 to complete the fashion design program here. 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. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Syracuse University placed #8 among the best values for fashion design. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $46,181. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Marist College came in at #9 for value in fashion design this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,620. Students borrow a median of $26,929 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Marist College earn a median of $28,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The New School placed #11 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $23,606. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from The New School generally make around $36,279. Set against $23,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.