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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fashion design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fashion design schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fashion design degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in fashion design, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Phoenix College one of the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Mesa Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.