2026 Best Value Fashion Design Schools

1

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Our analysis ranked Saddleback College the best value for a degree in fashion design in the United States. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $5,707. Fashion Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #4. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

5

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #7 among the best values for fashion design. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

8

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area placed #8 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,526. Fashion Design graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $29,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #9 for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $19,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

10

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #10 position for value in fashion design this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $10,288. Fashion Design graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #12 spot for fashion design value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $8,978. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

13

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $10,655. Fashion Design graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College came in at #15 for value in fashion design this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,733. Fashion Design graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.

16

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

17

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College placed #17 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $10,600. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for fashion design value this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $19,695. Fashion Design graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College earned the #20 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District landed the #21 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Mercer County Community College
West Windsor, NJ

Mercer County Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College landed the #23 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $8,542. Fashion Design graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College earned the #24 position for value in fashion design this year. 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, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.

25

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #25 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. 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.