Fashion Design Degree in Norfolk, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Norfolk, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Norfolk
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Norfolk, VA Overview
Norfolk, Virginia (pop. 238,005) has 16 colleges offering Fashion Design programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $956/month. Fashion Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Pattern Making and Textile Knowledge. The adjusted starting salary in Norfolk is approximately $46,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$10,571/yr
Private Tuition
$25,348/yr
Room & Board
$9,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,816/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Fashion Design Salary in Norfolk (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Norfolk's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Norfolk adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Norfolk
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Norfolk tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,571 | Private avg: $25,348
Norfolk avg aid: $15,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,056
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,950
vs HS diploma in Norfolk
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Norfolk
$152,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($232,500) minus total education cost ($80,056)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Norfolk
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Norfolk for Fashion Design
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Norfolk State University
public
$9,932/yr
$39,728 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Norfolk
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Norfolk
Norfolk offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Norfolk Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Norfolk
UX Design
$47K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$47K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$47K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Norfolk — 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 Norfolk.