Fashion Design Degree in Fort Collins, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Fort Collins, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Fort Collins
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Fort Collins, CO Overview
While Fort Collins has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fashion Design students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,826/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 Fort Collins is approximately $63,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,138/yr
Private Tuition
$33,574/yr
Room & Board
$19,826/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,695/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Fashion Design Salary in Fort Collins (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Collins's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Fort Collins adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Fort Collins
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Fort Collins tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,138 | Private avg: $33,574
Fort Collins avg aid: $10,695/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$127,856
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,900
vs HS diploma in Fort Collins
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Collins
$187,144
Lifetime earnings premium ($315,000) minus total education cost ($127,856)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Fort Collins
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Collins for Fashion Design
Colorado State University
public
$12,138/yr
$48,552 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Front Range Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Fort Collins
Fort Collins offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Collins Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Fort Collins
UX Design
$63K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$73K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$63K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$63K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$63K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$63K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$63K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Fort Collins — 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 Fort Collins.