Fashion Design Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.1 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fashion Design students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/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 Duluth is approximately $50,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$13,872/yr
Private Tuition
$41,612/yr
Room & Board
$12,662/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,990/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Fashion Design Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Duluth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,872 | Private avg: $41,612
Duluth avg aid: $15,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
7.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$143,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Fashion Design
University of Minnesota Duluth
public
$13,872/yr
$55,488 total
College of St. Scholastica
private
$41,612/yr
$166,448 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lake Superior College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$49K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Duluth
UX Design
$50K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$50K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$50K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$50K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Duluth — 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 Duluth.