Fashion Design Degree in Renton, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fashion Design degree analysis for Renton, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Renton
Cost of Living
122.5
index (100 = avg)
Fashion Design in Renton, WA Overview
While Renton has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fashion Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,923/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 Renton is approximately $61,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,923/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,424/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
64%
Fashion Design Salary in Renton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Renton's cost of living index of 122.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fashion Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.Renton adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Fashion Design ROI Calculator for Renton
Estimate your return on investment for a Fashion Design degree using local Renton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Renton avg aid: $15,424/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,375
vs HS diploma in Renton
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Renton
$195,358
Lifetime earnings premium ($306,250) minus total education cost ($110,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Fashion Design in Renton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Renton for Fashion Design
Renton State University
public
$11,303/yr
$45,212 total
University of Renton
public
$13,258/yr
$53,032 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Renton Community College
$5,805/yr
Top Employers for Fashion Design in Renton
Renton offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fashion Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Renton Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fashion Design Job Titles
Fashion Design in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$60K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$61K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$57K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$89K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$58K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$62K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Renton
UX Design
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$71K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$61K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$61K starting · 9 yr ROI
Fashion Design Degree in Renton — 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 Renton.