by our College Data Analytics Team
[Costume Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/costume-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1 schools to find the best return on investment for costume design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in costume design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bennington College tops our 2026 list of the best value costume design schools in Vermont. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Students borrow a median of $26,445 to complete the costume design program here. Early-career costume design graduates make about $16,579. Set against $26,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 1 school evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.