by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fashion Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/fashion-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for fashion design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fashion design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #2 place for fashion design. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Canada College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $15,000. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fashion design will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,526. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $29,902. Set against $12,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #6 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $14,308. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #7 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $5,707. Fashion Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Miami Dade College placed #9 among the best values for fashion design. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $30,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College placed #10 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #11 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $6,382. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Mercer County Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $12,250. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #13 position for value in fashion design this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #14 among the best values for fashion design. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #15 position for value in fashion design this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $7,858. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $19,146. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #16 position for value in fashion design this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. That is a strong return on a $19,939 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #17 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College placed #18 among the best values for fashion design. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Chaffey College earned the #19 position for value in fashion design this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $6,952. Fashion Design graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #20 position for value in fashion design this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for fashion design graduates is $9,384. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Nassau Community College placed #21 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #22 among the best values for fashion design. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #23 among the best values for fashion design. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fashion design program here. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fashion design schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Fashion Design graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career fashion design graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #25 spot for fashion design value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,085 to complete the fashion design program here. Fashion Design graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $29,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fashion design:
Explore the best-value fashion design schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
