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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Fashion Design Schools

59 Colleges in the United States
2,859 Fashion Design Degrees Awarded
$36,110 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fashion Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fashion design programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 142 schools to find the best for fashion design students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Fashion Design School

Best Fashion Design Schools

Where you study fashion design matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Fashion Design rankings. For our Best Overall Fashion Design School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Fashion Design Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Fashion Design
Bachelor's Degrees in Fashion Design
Master's Degrees in Fashion Design
Doctoral Degrees in Fashion Design

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Fashion Design Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Fashion Design in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fashion design education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Fashion Design

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Cincinnati Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in fashion design. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 28 fashion design degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $52,526. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,851 in student loans. Get the full fashion design details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

2

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fashion design, ranking #2. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 80 fashion design degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Fashion Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full fashion design details for Arizona State University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Delaware one of the top schools for fashion design. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 18 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from University Of Delaware earn around $42,585 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full fashion design details for University Of Delaware

4
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $46,181. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full fashion design program report for Syracuse University

5

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Baylor University earn around $39,333 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. See the full fashion design program report for Baylor University

6
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #6 position for fashion design this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drexel University awarded about 24 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $38,154 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the fashion design program at Drexel University

7

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for fashion design this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 19 fashion design degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $26,421. Typical student debt for the program is $21,064. Read more about the fashion design program at Indiana University Bloomington

8

Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for fashion design this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 617 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full fashion design details for Fashion Institute Of Technology

9
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main came in at #9 for fashion design this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Brooklyn. About 74% of students finish within six years. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 49 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full fashion design program report for Pratt Institute Main

10

Oregon State University landed the #10 spot for fashion design this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Oregon State University awarded about 21 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $35,614 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,419 to complete this degree. See the full fashion design program report for Oregon State University

11
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College landed the #11 spot for fashion design this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Marist College earn around $28,336 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,929. See the full fashion design program report for Marist College

12

Suny College At Oneonta landed the #12 spot for fashion design this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 fashion design degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,629. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans. See the full fashion design program report for Suny College At Oneonta

13

University Of North Texas earned the #13 position for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 24 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $33,867 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,288. See the full fashion design program report for University Of North Texas

14

Kent State University At Kent placed #14 among the best fashion design schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 122 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $36,351 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fashion design details for Kent State University At Kent

15

Texas Tech University came in at #15 for fashion design this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 17 fashion design degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $50,332 in their early career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. See the full fashion design program report for Texas Tech University

16

Thomas Jefferson University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best fashion design schools. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 25 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Thomas Jefferson University earn around $36,433 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fashion design program at Thomas Jefferson University

17
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best fashion design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 16 fashion design degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Fashion Design graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $36,784 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $28,175 in student loans. More information about a degree in fashion design from Michigan State University

18

Johnson County Community College earned the #18 position for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Johnson County Community College earn around $32,030 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625. More information about a degree in fashion design from Johnson County Community College

19

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #19 position for fashion design this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 10 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. See the full fashion design program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

20
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best fashion design schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 290 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of The New School earn a median of $36,279 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,606 to complete this degree. Get the full fashion design details for The New School

21

Austin Community College District came in at #21 for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. About 17 fashion design degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Austin Community College District earn around $40,289 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. More information about a degree in fashion design from Austin Community College District

22

Bergen Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best fashion design schools. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. Bergen Community College awarded about 11 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $51,280. Typical student debt for the program is $17,720. Read more about the fashion design program at Bergen Community College

23

Texas Womans University landed the #23 spot for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 fashion design degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $54,611 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete this degree. See the full fashion design program report for Texas Womans University

24

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #24 for fashion design this year. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 28 fashion design degrees were awarded at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $24,706. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the fashion design program at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

25

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #25 among the best fashion design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $36,156 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fashion design from Virginia Commonwealth University

Rest of the Top 50 Fashion Design Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fashion design ranking:

26
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
27
28
29
30
31
32
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
33
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
34
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ
35
36
37
38
39
40
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
41
42
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
43
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
44
45
46
47
48
49
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA
50
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Additional Fashion Design Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for fashion design:

Rank School Location
#63 Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA

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Fashion Design by Region

View the Best Fashion Design Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Fashion Design is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 142 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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