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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fashion Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region

12 Colleges in the United States
354 Fashion Design Degrees Awarded
$34,895 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 19 schools to find the best for fashion design students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fashion Design in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fashion design education in the Great Lakes Region.

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. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 28 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,851. Read more about the fashion design program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for fashion design. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 19 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $26,421 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,064. Get the full fashion design details for Indiana University Bloomington

3

Kent State University At Kent came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best fashion design schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 122 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $36,351 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in fashion design from Kent State University At Kent

4
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong fashion design program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 16 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Michigan State University earn around $36,784 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,175 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fashion design from Michigan State University

5

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $35,645 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fashion design from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

6
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #6 position for fashion design this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 14 fashion design degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $36,917 in their early career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. See the full fashion design program report for Central Michigan University

7

College For Creative Studies came in at #7 for fashion design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at College For Creative Studies in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full fashion design details for College For Creative Studies

8
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best fashion design schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 fashion design degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Fashion Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fashion design from Ferris State University

9

Columbia College Chicago came in at #9 for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 94 fashion design degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,630. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full fashion design details for Columbia College Chicago

10

Columbus College Of Art And Design landed the #10 spot for fashion design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. About 56% of students finish within six years. Columbus College Of Art And Design awarded about 11 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Columbus College Of Art And Design generally make around $27,970. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full fashion design program report for Columbus College Of Art And Design

Narrow Fashion Design Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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