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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fashion Design Associate’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
$13,695 Avg Student Debt
$43,343 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fashion Design Associate's Degree Badge [Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fashion design schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fashion Design Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion design, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Fashion Design Schools

1

For return on investment in fashion design, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #2 place for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, 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. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

3
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.

4
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

A rank of #4 makes West Valley College one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

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6
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College placed #6 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #7 position for value in fashion design this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $31,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #8 spot for fashion design value this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,526 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $29,902. That is a strong return on a $12,526 median debt.

9
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #9 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

10

Pima Community College came in at #10 for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College earned the #12 position for value in fashion design this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. 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.

13
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College ranked #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

14
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College earned the #14 position for value in fashion design this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. 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.

15

El Paso Community College landed the #15 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College landed the #16 spot for fashion design value this year. 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. Fashion Design graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Mercer County Community College landed the #17 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Austin Community College District ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $19,939. Fashion Design graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $40,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College landed the #19 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. 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.

20

Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $19,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Miami Dade College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $30,466. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #22 position for value in fashion design this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,085 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $10,766. Fashion Design graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College placed #24 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.

25

Houston Community College placed #25 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Fashion Design Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for fashion design this year:

26
27
28
29
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
38
39
40
41
Wade College crest
Wade College
Dallas, TX
42
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA
43
44
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA
45
46
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY
47
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

Other Fashion Design Degree Levels

Explore the best-value fashion design schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Fashion Design
Bachelor's Degrees in Fashion Design
Master's Degrees in Fashion Design
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View All Fashion Design Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 142 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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