Fashion Design Degree in Dearborn, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Dearborn, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.2 yrs
in Dearborn
Cost of Living
90.5
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Dearborn, MI Overview
While Dearborn has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fashion Design students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,567/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Fashion Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Pattern Making and Textile Knowledge. The adjusted starting salary in Dearborn is approximately $45,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,567/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,314/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Fashion Design Salary in Dearborn (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Dearborn's cost of living index of 90.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Dearborn adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Dearborn
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Dearborn tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $32,000
Dearborn avg aid: $8,314/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$111,868
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,575
vs HS diploma in Dearborn
ROI Payback Period
8.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Dearborn
$114,382
Lifetime earnings premium ($226,250) minus total education cost ($111,868)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Dearborn
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Dearborn for Fashion Design
Dearborn State University
public
$14,575/yr
$58,300 total
University of Dearborn
public
$15,869/yr
$63,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dearborn Community College
$5,650/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Dearborn
Dearborn offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Dearborn Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Dearborn
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$45K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$45K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Dearborn — 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 Dearborn.