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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fashion Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$19,891 Avg Student Debt
$55,415 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fashion Design Badge [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 32 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 Middle Atlantic Region

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

Best Value Fashion Design Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for fashion design in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $17,625. Fashion Design graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $19,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes Mercer County Community College one of the best values for fashion design. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,250. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Cuny Kingsborough Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $19,146. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.

5
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $9,534. Fashion Design graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.

7

Bergen Community College placed #7 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $51,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Brookdale Community College placed #8 among the best values for fashion design. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Suny Westchester Community College placed #9 among the best values for fashion design. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $8,764. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #10 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

University Of Delaware earned the #11 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $42,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

12

Montclair State University landed the #12 spot for fashion design value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $26,027. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #13 for value in fashion design this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $34,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

Suny College At Oneonta placed #14 among the best values for fashion design. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $22,046. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

15

Villa Maria College came in at #15 for value in fashion design this year. Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,670. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $31,909. Set against $15,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

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16

Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #16 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

17
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA

Albright College earned the #17 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Albright College earn a median of $29,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.

18
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Harcum College earned the #18 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,000. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $26,756 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $40,238. Set against $26,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $27,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

20

Thomas Jefferson University came in at #20 for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $36,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

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21
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #21 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Fashion Design graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

22
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #22 for value in fashion design this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,620. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $26,929. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $28,336. Set against $26,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

23
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #23 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $46,181. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

24

Moore College Of Art And Design landed the #24 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,674. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Moore College Of Art And Design generally make around $20,587. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

25
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main placed #25 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. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $40,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Fashion Design Schools

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

26
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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