2026 Best Value Fashion Merchandising Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for fashion merchandising students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Fashion Merchandising Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fashion merchandising degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fashion Merchandising Schools
Houston Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fashion merchandising schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Mesa Community College one of the best values for fashion merchandising. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fashion merchandising schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $39,787. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sam Houston State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fashion merchandising, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Fashion Merchandising graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $32,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas State University San Marcos earned it the #5 place for fashion merchandising. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,156 to complete the fashion merchandising program here. Fashion Merchandising graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $33,040 early in their careers. Set against $24,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Christian University came in at #6 for value in fashion merchandising this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $19,500. Early-career fashion merchandising graduates make about $42,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #7 spot for fashion merchandising value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for fashion merchandising graduates is $23,115. Soon after graduation, fashion merchandising degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $43,414. That is a strong return on a $23,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
