Fashion Design Degree in New Bedford, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for New Bedford, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8 yrs
in New Bedford
Cost of Living
102.5
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in New Bedford, MA Overview
While New Bedford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Fashion Design students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,635/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 New Bedford is approximately $51,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,635/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,843/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Fashion Design Salary in New Bedford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for New Bedford's cost of living index of 102.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.New Bedford adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for New Bedford
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local New Bedford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
New Bedford avg aid: $9,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,940
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,375
vs HS diploma in New Bedford
ROI Payback Period
8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Bedford
$133,310
Lifetime earnings premium ($256,250) minus total education cost ($122,940)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in New Bedford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Bedford for Fashion Design
New Bedford State University
public
$15,984/yr
$63,936 total
University of New Bedford
public
$18,237/yr
$72,948 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
New Bedford Community College
$5,720/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in New Bedford
New Bedford offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Bedford Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in New Bedford
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$51K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in New Bedford — 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 New Bedford.