by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fashion design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion design, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in fashion design, no school beat Mercer County Community College this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Burlington County College came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,488. Fashion Design graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brookdale Community College earned it the #3 place for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #4 spot this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,720 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $51,280 early in their careers. Set against $17,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #5 place for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $26,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $26,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.