Fashion Design Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Little Rock, AR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Little Rock
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Little Rock, AR Overview
Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Fashion Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Pattern Making and Textile Knowledge. The adjusted starting salary in Little Rock is approximately $42,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$13,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,863/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,402/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Fashion Design Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Little Rock
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Little Rock tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320
Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,700
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Little Rock
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Little Rock
$119,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($212,500) minus total education cost ($92,700)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Little Rock
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Little Rock for Fashion Design
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Philander Smith University
private
$13,320/yr
$53,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pulaski Technical College
$3,800/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Little Rock
Little Rock offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Little Rock Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Arkansas Cities
Fayetteville, AR
$45K starting · COL 89
4 colleges
Fort Smith, AR
$39K starting · COL 78.5
4 colleges
Springdale, AR
$43K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Jonesboro, AR
$41K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Rogers, AR
$44K starting · COL 88.2
3 colleges
Conway, AR
$42K starting · COL 84.5
3 colleges
North Little Rock, AR
$43K starting · COL 86.6
3 colleges
Bentonville, AR
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Little Rock
UX Design
$43K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$43K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$43K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Little Rock — 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 Little Rock.