Fashion Design Degree in Franklin, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Franklin, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Franklin
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Franklin, TN Overview
While Franklin has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Fashion Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,807/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 Franklin is approximately $59,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,100/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,807/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,962/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Fashion Design Salary in Franklin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Franklin's cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Franklin adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Franklin
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Franklin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,100 | Private avg: $32,000
Franklin avg aid: $15,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,628
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,775
vs HS diploma in Franklin
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Franklin
$192,622
Lifetime earnings premium ($296,250) minus total education cost ($103,628)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Franklin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Franklin for Fashion Design
Franklin State University
public
$10,603/yr
$42,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Franklin Community College
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Franklin
Franklin offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Franklin Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Franklin
UX Design
$59K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$69K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$59K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$59K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Franklin — 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 Franklin.