Fashion Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fashion design students pursuing a degree.
The fashion design program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Fashion Design Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Fashion Design 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.
Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for fashion design. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 12 fashion design degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Fashion Design graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $33,615 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans.
Get the full fashion design details for Washington University In St Louis
A rank of #2 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the top schools for fashion design. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 36 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $52,526 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,851.
Read more about the fashion design program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Delaware is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fashion design, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 28 fashion design degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from University Of Delaware earn around $42,585 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in fashion design from University Of Delaware
Syracuse University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fashion design, ranking #4. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Syracuse University earn around $46,181 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the fashion design program at Syracuse University
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the top schools for fashion design. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 78 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Arizona State University
Baylor University earned the #6 position for fashion design this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $39,333. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
Get the full fashion design details for Baylor University
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for fashion design this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $26,421. Students borrow a median of $21,064 to complete this degree.
See the full fashion design program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Drexel University placed #8 among the best fashion design schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 45 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $38,154. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Drexel University
Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for fashion design this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 675 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Fashion Institute Of Technology
Oregon State University came in at #10 for fashion design this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Oregon State University awarded about 17 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $35,614 early in their careers. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $23,419 in student loans.
Get the full fashion design details for Oregon State University
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best fashion design schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 37 fashion design degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $33,867 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans.
Read more about the fashion design program at University Of North Texas
Kent State University At Kent came in at #12 for fashion design this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 127 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $36,351 in the first couple years of their career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the fashion design program at Kent State University At Kent
Pratt Institute Main placed #13 among the best fashion design schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. About 55 fashion design degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $40,880. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Read more about the fashion design program at Pratt Institute Main
Texas Tech University earned the #14 position for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
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Marist College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best fashion design schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. Marist College awarded about 25 fashion design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $28,336. Marist College graduates carry a median of $26,929 in student loans.
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Michigan State University came in at #16 for fashion design this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 30 fashion design degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $36,784 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $28,175 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Michigan State University
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #17 position for fashion design this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Oneonta. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $36,629 in their early career. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Suny College At Oneonta
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #18 spot for fashion design this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 23 fashion design degrees were awarded at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent year. Fashion Design graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $36,433 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Belmont University landed the #19 spot for fashion design this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 15 fashion design degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $28,702. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fashion design program at Belmont University
The New School came in at #20 for fashion design this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 325 fashion design degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Students who receive their fashion design degree from The New School earn around $36,279 in the first couple years of their career. The New School graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans.
Read more about the fashion design program at The New School
Montclair State University came in at #21 for fashion design this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Montclair State University in the most recent data year. Fashion Design graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,027 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best fashion design schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 11 fashion design degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Fashion Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Santa Rosa Junior College
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #23 for fashion design this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 fashion design degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $36,156 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,937.
See the full fashion design program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
Austin Community College District earned the #24 position for fashion design this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 21 fashion design students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fashion design degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fashion design from Austin Community College District
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #25 for fashion design this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 15 fashion design degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the fashion design program make about $29,775 in their early career. Seattle Community College Central Campus graduates carry a median of $14,085 in student loans.
Read more about the fashion design program at Seattle Community College Central Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Fashion Design Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fashion design ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 67 schools evaluated.
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).
