by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fashion design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fashion design schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fashion design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in fashion design in Texas. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $31,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #2 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,939 to complete the fashion design program here. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $40,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for fashion design. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Community College earned it the #4 place for fashion design. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #5 place for fashion design. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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University Of North Texas placed #6 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #7 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #8 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $27,986. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
Wade College landed the #9 spot for fashion design value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Wade College is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $38,214. Fashion Design graduates of Wade College earn a median of $24,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baylor University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $39,333. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.