by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fashion design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 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.
Leading the list is Ferris State University, our #1 best value for fashion design in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $34,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $21,064. Fashion Design graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $26,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $36,864. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $36,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Michigan University earned it the #5 place for fashion design. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $39,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Mount Mary College earned the #6 position for value in fashion design this year. Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,420. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Mount Mary College generally make around $30,053. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $36,351. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $28,175. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,784. Set against $28,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $35,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in fashion design this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $25,851 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #11 position for value in fashion design this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,630. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,825 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $27,970. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies placed #13 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $26,000. Fashion Design graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.