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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
University Of North Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools in the United States. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,867. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #2 spot this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for fashion design. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $53,900. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $46,439. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,351. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $35,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $33,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,089 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for value in fashion design this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
College For Creative Studies ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. College For Creative Studies admits about 92% of applicants.
Syracuse University placed #10 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $46,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Academy Of Art University earned the #11 position for value in fashion design this year. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,736. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $33,312. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $38,358. Set against $33,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California College Of The Arts earned the #12 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $28,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. California College Of The Arts admits about 91% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $40,987. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main placed #14 among the best values for fashion design. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $45,720. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The New School landed the #15 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of The New School earn a median of $39,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,606 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Other Fashion Design Degree Levels
Explore the best-value fashion design schools at other degree levels:
[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.
