Also in Maryland: All fashion schools in Maryland
Two Maryland colleges report a fashion design program to the U.S. Department of Education: Stevenson University, a private university in Owings Mills, and Baltimore City Community College. No Maryland public university reports a fashion design bachelor’s degree, so many students also look at programs in Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Maryland fashion design at a glance
- 2 colleges offer fashion design: Stevenson University (private, bachelor’s) and Baltimore City Community College (public, associate degree and certificate).
- Lowest yearly cost after grants: Baltimore City Community College, $14,635.
- Portfolio: optional at Stevenson; it can strengthen an application and is used for talent-based scholarships.
- State aid: Maryland’s Educational Assistance Grant pays $400 to $3,000 a year.
Fashion Design programs in Maryland
| School | City | Type | Tuition (in-state) | Average net price | Program focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore City Community Collegefederal data | Baltimore | Public | $3,314 | $14,635 | Design |
| Stevenson Universityfederal data | Owings Mills | Private | $41,278 | $24,904 | Design and merchandising |
Source: tuition and average net price (yearly cost after grants, for students receiving federal aid) from College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, retrieved November 1, 2026. Program lists: IPEDS completions, 2022-23 and 2023-24. Each “federal data” link opens that school’s record.
What it costs
2 colleges in Maryland report a program covering fashion design. Net price, what students actually pay after grants, ranges from $14,635 at Baltimore City Community College to $24,904 at Stevenson University, with a median of $19,769 a year. Net price includes living costs, so students who live at home usually pay less. Published tuition and every Maryland option are on our guide to fashion schools in Maryland.
The two programs
Stevenson University (Owings Mills)
Stevenson offers a B.S. in Fashion Design with 70 credits of major requirements. A portfolio is optional: applicants may submit one to strengthen their application, and it is also used for talent-based scholarships. Students take an internship course, and the program lists placements such as Christopher Schafer Clothier, FabScraps and Holland and Sherry. Seniors present a collection of seven looks at the spring fashion show; the 2026 show was on May 9. Stevenson also offers a separate B.S. in Fashion Merchandising in its business school.
For 2026-27, Stevenson lists full-time tuition of $38,970 plus $2,856 in fees (Stevenson tuition and fees). After grants, the federal average is $24,904 a year.
Baltimore City Community College (Baltimore)
BCCC offers a Fashion Design A.A.S., with a Fashion Retailing concentration, and a Fashion Design certificate of 43 to 46 credits. Students learn to illustrate original designs, make patterns and construct clothing. The college says most graduates either transfer to a bachelor’s program or find a job. Its 2026-27 tuition was not published on its site when we checked, so the table uses federal figures.
Public, private or community college?
The one public college on this list averages $14,635 a year in net price, against $24,904 for the one private college. The lowest-priced private option, Stevenson University, still averages $24,904, so private study in fashion design usually costs more even after aid.
Paying for it
Maryland’s Educational Assistance Grant pays $400 to $3,000 a year to full-time students with financial need at eligible Maryland two-year and four-year colleges. File the FAFSA or the state’s One-App by March 1. The Guaranteed Access Grant helps the lowest-income students; you cannot hold both grants at once.
Design programs in nearby states
- Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) offers a B.F.A. in Fashion Design. Out-of-state tuition for 2026-27 is $36,521 plus $4,606 in fees. See fashion schools in Virginia.
- University of Delaware (Newark) offers a fashion design major. Non-resident tuition for 2026-27 is $42,470 plus $2,550 in fees. See fashion design schools in Delaware.
- Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. See fashion schools in Pennsylvania.
Maryland belongs to the Academic Common Market, which lets residents pay in-state tuition for some out-of-state degrees that Maryland public colleges do not offer (SREB). No Maryland public university offers a fashion design bachelor’s, but each program must be approved for Maryland residents, so ask the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s ACM coordinator before you apply.
Fashion design jobs in Maryland
| Job | Jobs in Maryland | Median pay in Maryland | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion designers | 120 | Not published | $80,960 |
| Buyers and purchasing agents (all industries) | 8,900 | $90,900 | $77,710 |
Figures are from the BLS for May 2025 (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics). Maryland has about 120 fashion design jobs, and the BLS does not publish their median wage. Buyers in Maryland earn well above the national median.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest fashion design program in Maryland?
Baltimore City Community College in Baltimore has the lowest net price on this list, $14,635 a year.
How many Maryland colleges offer fashion design?
2 colleges on our list offer a program covering fashion design, 1 of them public.
Do I need a portfolio for a fashion design program?
Most bachelor’s design programs ask for a portfolio or review one during the first year, while community college programs usually admit without one. Check each school’s requirements.
Does Stevenson University require a portfolio?
No. A portfolio is optional. Applicants can submit one to strengthen an application, and it is used for talent-based scholarships.
Can Maryland students pay in-state tuition for fashion design in another state?
Possibly, through the Academic Common Market, since no Maryland public university offers a fashion design bachelor’s. Each program must be approved for Maryland residents, so check with the state’s ACM coordinator first.
Schools identified via U.S. Department of Education IPEDS completions (fashion/apparel design CIP 50.0407, apparel and textiles 19.09). Tuition and average net price are from College Scorecard (retrieved November 1, 2026), the same figures as our Maryland guide. Program names, requirements and 2026-27 rates were checked on each school’s site on November 1, 2026. Wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025. See our methodology. Spot an error? Tell us.