2026 Best Value Fashion Design Schools in Michigan

[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 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fashion design schools.
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2026 Best Value Fashion Design Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fashion Design Schools
Our analysis ranked Ferris State University the best value for a degree in fashion design in Michigan. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #2 place for fashion design. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $28,500. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $36,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Fashion Design graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $39,077 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,175 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $36,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at College For Creative Studies, which ranked #5. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,350. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from College For Creative Studies generally make around $32,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
More Fashion Design Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.