by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,526. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnson County Community College earned it the #2 place for fashion design. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $32,030. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #3. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Lindenwood University one of the best values for fashion design. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Fashion Design graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $33,615. Set against $19,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.