Eight Iowa colleges offer fashion design or merchandising programs, based on U.S. Department of Education data. Published in-state tuition runs from $5,790 at Des Moines Area Community College to $36,658 at Saint Ambrose University. The table below compares them on cost, size, and program focus. Data updated July 2026.
Compare All 8 Fashion Schools in Iowa
| School | City | Type | Tuition/yr | Net price/yr | Enrollment | Program focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community CollegeLowest published tuition in the state: $5,790 in-state. | Ankeny | Public | $5,790 | $11,171 | 10,446 | Merchandising |
| Kirkwood Community CollegeLowest average net price in the state: about $9,705 a year after grants. | Cedar Rapids | Public | $6,176 | $9,705 | 7,591 | Merchandising |
| Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmar campus. Net cost ($11,272) runs above the sticker once housing counts. | Calmar | Public | $6,780 | $11,272 | 1,697 | Merchandising |
| Iowa Lakes Community CollegeEstherville campus. Net cost ($13,933) runs above the sticker once housing counts. | Estherville | Public | $7,392 | $13,933 | 941 | Merchandising |
| University of Northern IowaCedar Falls campus. Net cost ($15,901) runs above the sticker once housing counts. | Cedar Falls | Public | $9,936 | $15,901 | 7,529 | Design & Textiles |
| Iowa State UniversityThe biggest school on this list, with 25,367 students in Ames. | Ames | Public | $10,787 | $18,589 | 25,367 | Design + Merch |
| Graceland University-LamoniLamoni campus with a $18,504 average net price. | Lamoni | Private | $20,950 | $18,504 | 798 | Merchandising |
| Saint Ambrose UniversityBased in Davenport; students average $24,691 a year after grants. | Davenport | Private | $36,658 | $24,691 | 1,916 | Merchandising |
Showing 8 of 8 schools
How Much Does Fashion School Cost in Iowa?
After grants, the average net price starts at about $9,705 a year at Kirkwood Community College. 4 of the 8 schools net out under $15,000 a year. Always compare the net price column, not the sticker: for most students it’s the number that matters.
Fashion Schools in Iowa: FAQs
What is the cheapest fashion school in Iowa?
Kirkwood Community College has the lowest average net price at about $9,705 a year, per U.S. Department of Education data. Des Moines Area Community College has the lowest published tuition at $5,790 in-state.
How much does fashion school cost per year in Iowa?
Published in-state tuition runs from $5,790 to $36,658. Average net price after grants ranges from about $9,705 to $24,691 a year.
Which Iowa schools offer fashion design?
These schools report an apparel design or textiles track: University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University. The rest focus on fashion merchandising and retail.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting (retrieved July 2026). Tuition is the published annual rate; net price is the average actually paid after grants by federal aid recipients.
Fashion Schools in Nearby States
How we built this list: schools identified via U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS program data (CIP 19.09 apparel & textiles, CIP 52.19 fashion merchandising), retrieved July 11, 2026. Tuition is the published annual rate; net price is the average paid after grants by federal aid recipients. Spot an error? Tell us and we’ll fix it.