2026 Best Value Costume Design Schools

1

Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, LA

Bossier Parish Community College earned the #1 spot for value among costume design schools in the United States. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Students borrow a median of $20,593 to complete the costume design program here. Soon after graduation, costume design degree recipients from Bossier Parish Community College generally make around $43,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #2 place for costume design. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Costume Design graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career costume design graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Paradise Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value costume design schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the costume design program here. Costume Design graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Dixie State College Of Utah
Saint George, UT

A rank of #4 makes Dixie State College Of Utah one of the best values for costume design. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for costume design graduates is $18,666. Costume Design graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.

5

Brenau University
Gainesville, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brenau University earned it the #5 place for costume design. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,757. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the costume design program here. Early-career costume design graduates make about $59,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

Stephens College
Columbia, MO

Stephens College landed the #6 spot for costume design value this year. Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $28,300. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the costume design program here. Costume Design graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $16,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

7

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University placed #7 among the best values for costume design. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for costume design graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, costume design degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $13,182. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value costume design schools. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Typical student debt for costume design graduates is $27,000. Early-career costume design graduates make about $62,948. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.

9

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #9 for value in costume design this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Costume Design graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Costume Design graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $27,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

10

Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College landed the #10 spot for costume design value this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for costume design graduates is $26,445. Costume Design graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $16,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,445 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

11

Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College placed #11 among the best values for costume design. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the costume design program here. Soon after graduation, costume design degree recipients from Marymount Manhattan College generally make around $30,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

12

Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University landed the #12 spot for costume design value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,736. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the costume design program here. Soon after graduation, costume design degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $28,717. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for costume design. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,000. Students borrow a median of $20,498 to complete the costume design program here. Costume Design graduates of Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles earn a median of $28,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,498 median debt.

14

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts placed #14 among the best values for costume design. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,996 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the costume design program here. Soon after graduation, costume design degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts generally make around $28,915. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.