by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Merchandising](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/specialized-sales-merchandising-marketing/fashion-merchandising/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fashion merchandising students.
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The right fashion merchandising school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Fashion Merchandising Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Fashion Merchandising Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion merchandising, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in fashion merchandising, no school beat Miami Dade College this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for fashion merchandising. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Fashion Merchandising graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fashion merchandising will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $19,223. Fashion Merchandising graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for fashion merchandising. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #5 place for fashion merchandising. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $27,276. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Genesee Community College earned the #6 position for value in fashion merchandising this year. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $15,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $40,106. That is a strong return on a $15,991 median debt.
Brookdale Community College came in at #7 for value in fashion merchandising this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Texas Womans University landed the #8 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,108 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $35,299. Set against $23,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in fashion merchandising this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $37,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Johnson County Community College placed #10 among the best values for fashion merchandising. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $13,532. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $46,473. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion merchandising schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $39,787. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Ball State University earned the #12 position for value in fashion merchandising this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $25,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $35,904. Set against $25,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Bridgerland Technical College landed the #13 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $12,000. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $28,884. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Michigan University earned the #14 position for value in fashion merchandising this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $28,765. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #15 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $26,373. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $24,156. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for value in fashion merchandising this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $16,750. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $33,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #18 position for value in fashion merchandising this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $34,499 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $33,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion merchandising schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $32,444. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion merchandising schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $29,203. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #21 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Fashion Merchandising graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College came in at #22 for value in fashion merchandising this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $26,950. Fashion Merchandising graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $29,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #23 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Fashion Merchandising graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $36,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Lindenwood University earned the #24 position for value in fashion merchandising this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Johnson And Wales University Online ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion merchandising schools. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,365. Fashion Merchandising graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Online generally make around $27,168. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson And Wales University Online admits about 91% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fashion merchandising value ranking:
Fashion Merchandising is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.