Fashion Design Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$87K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Fashion Design programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Fashion Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Pattern Making and Textile Knowledge. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $70,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Fashion Design Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$220,348
Lifetime earnings premium ($352,500) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Fashion Design
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$71K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$62K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$58K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$70K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$58K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$55K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$56K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Bridgeport
UX Design
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$82K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$71K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$71K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$71K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Bridgeport — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Fashion Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bridgeport.