Top 20 Fashion Design Schools and Programs

Students interested in fashion design often don’t realize the myriad positions available to them within the fashion industry. While programs like “Project Runway” have popularized clothing design, there are many additional exciting careers awaiting fashion design graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2012 there were over 22,000 professionals working as fashion designers receiving a median salary of nearly $63,000 annually. Those in the top 10 percent of the pay scale earned over $126,000 per year.

With so many different programs and concentrations, finding the right fashion school can seem daunting. Our guide will provide the inside scoop on the types of degrees available, curriculum options, specializations, possible careers, what to look for in a great school and more.

The Fashion Institute of Technology has also played a significant role in producing some of the best: past students you may have heard of (or worn their designs) include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, and Carolina Herrera.

Wondering where your favorite designers completed their educations in fashion? Parsons New School of Design has been turning out iconic designers since long before Tim Gunn started telling the designers to “Make it work.” Notable alumni include J.Crew darling Jenna Lyons, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Donna Karan and Prabal Gurung.

Not all designers entered the world with plans to break the fashion mold: Miuccia Prada started out as a mime artist before launching her iconic line of handbags. Vera Wang was a competitive figure skater before moving into the editorial side of fashion. She started her design career as a fashion director for Ralph Lauren before launching her own brand.

Fashion designers are visionary individuals who combine their creative skills with business acumen to design and create garments, footwear and accessories. Whether working as merchandisers, designers, buyers or assistants, individuals with the skills, knowledge and passion necessary to succeed in this field have fascinating and fulfilling careers. The rapid nature of the industry demands professionals who thrive under pressure and can be fluid in the midst of constant change.

If this sounds appealing, undertaking a fashion design degree is often the first step of breaking into the industry. It is important to select a curriculum designed to build both the technical and creative skills needed; additionally, graduates who actively chase opportunities outside the classroom will be competitive candidates for design firms upon graduation. The majority of fashion schools tend to be in New York or California, but numerous options exist throughout the U.S. and further abroad.

In addition to the options listed above, there are a few institutions devoted exclusively to training future fashion designers. On the East Coast, New York boasts the Fashion Institute of Technology. Aside from offering programs in fashion design and related topics, FIT also provides students a larger understanding of the industry by incorporating courses in visual arts, textiles, business skills and marketing.

On the West Coast, Los Angeles has the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Multiple fashion-related programs are available, including costume design, merchandising, footwear design and jewelry design.

College-bound students with a flair for style and a desire to turn their passion into a career may consider enrolling in a fashion design program. A quality online fashion design school will teach students to create apparel that meets the expectations of constantly evolving trends. To help students find the right school, we analyzed each fashion design school and college in the country based on our methodology to compile this list of the best options. Explore the top fashion design schools and colleges.

The world of fashion is a highly competitive environment. One way students can make themselves stand out is by ensuring the fashion school they choose has the right elements for success. Here are a few things to look out for:

Associate degrees are an excellent option for those who wish to work as design assistants or retail professionals and provide a thorough review of design fundamentals. Bachelor’s degrees will allow students to claim entry-level roles in the industry such as merchandisers, buyers, junior visual merchandisers or editorial assistants. Professionals who already have successful careers in fashion typically undertake master’s level degrees to either concentrate their knowledge on a specific area or to become more competitive for managerial roles in design firms. This is also an attractive option for those seeking to move towards an academic career. While no doctorate program in fashion design currently exists, complementary programs such as apparel design are offered at a few institutions.

A variety of options are offer for certificates in fashion design. Whether your goal is to learn the basics of fashion or learn about a specific area, programs exist.

Lots of interesting options exist for students looking to pursue fashion design at the associate degree level. Typically offered as an Associate of Fine Arts or an Associate of Applied Science, these programs attract many professionals who already have a college background and are seeking a career change. Most programs are 32-36 credit hours, can be completed in 1-2 years and do not require any prerequisites. Given the immersive nature of associate programs, classes are similar to those at bachelor’s level are but exclude a general education focus. Some of these could include:

Two options exist for fashion design degrees at this level. While a Bachelor of Arts will emphasize a liberal arts underpinning supported by studio practice, a Bachelor of Fine Arts will require a creative thesis project such as designing a collection. While most schools do not have prerequisites at this level, demonstrable interest in fashion or design will help potential candidates stand out for competitive programs. Internships are a vital component of most degrees and will give students hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Study abroad options are also sometimes available in international cities of fashion. Core classes generally build upon basic design and patternmaking skills learned in the first two years before moving on to more advanced topics. Programs are typically completed in four years of full-time study. A sampling of popular courses is given below.

Master’s degrees in fashion design prepare graduates to move from assistants to primary designers, buyers, merchandisers and more. Most programs do not have fashion-related prerequisites or admissions criteria but more competitive departments may require a portfolio. Hours required for completion range between 36-42 hours depending on the program and the student’s choice of capstone project. Hands-on practice in a structured environment forms an important component of master’s degrees in fashion design and nearly all will require some form of field experience such as an internship, assistantship or other work experience. Core courses will involve fashion history, drawing, materials, silhouettes, tailoring, draping and other specialized topics. Some of the master’s level courses students could expect to take include:

While PhD programs specifically in fashion design do not currently exist, several similar options are available. Students seeking to pursue a fashion education at the doctoral level should research programs in apparel design, textile and apparel management or apparel science. Do note that, given the level of hands-on design and development work required of these degrees, it could be hard to find a program offered fully online.

In addition to the expected skills of sketching, draping, silhouette design, garment construction and sewing, interested students should seek out programs offering a design curriculum balanced with courses in business, finance, communication and other practical skills that will help them market themselves and their designs.

Jamie Atlas, the Dean of the Fashion Design program at O’More College of Design

Project Runway does not provide a realistic look into an accredited fashion design program or the detailed and meticulous process of design. The work is rigorous and far from glamorous. However, student designers do not mind the intensive projects and workload because it is a progression leading to a successful career in the industry they love.

Successful fashion designers that include but are not limited to Ralph Lauren, Billy Reid, Vera Wang, Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Nanette Lepore are excellent communicators and businessmen and women. Each of them found a niche and understood the importance of targeting that market. Accomplished designers are competitive and do not take no for an answer.

Focus on communication skills and take as many business courses and/or workshops in entrepreneurship, financial management, manufacturing, sourcing, branding, marketing and social media. In addition, intern with a variety of large and small businesses. Entry-level positions in the industry look for 2-3 years of experience, and internships can provide that experience.

It is never too late. Typically the strongest students and graduates made a career change or decided to pursue a fashion design degree while working towards a different degree. It is important to love what you do, and if you can make money doing something you love, it is well worth the extra time working towards that goal.

An accredited fashion design program is a demanding degree that will require a lot of sleepless night working on projects, but students loving what they are working towards beyond graduation enjoy and take in every minute of learning.

The fashion industry is known for being a highly competitive environment; graduates are expected to gain hands-on experience during their studies and should take advantage of any internship or assistantship opportunities available. Upon graduation, even entry-level positions will require at least two years of experience. Job titles available to new graduates include junior visual merchandiser, assistant buyer, editorial assistant or design assistant.

Above all, graduates trying to break into the industry should be extremely passionate about the field, dedicated to working hard, prepared to work long and unsociable hours, and understand that it could take a number of years before they are in their dream position.

The types of employers graduates could find themselves working for are wide ranging. Some of the most popular include stylists, photographers, designers, casting agents, textile manufacturers, retailers, costumers or a variety of publication outlets.

Use technology and sketching to create designs for clothing and accessories. Fashion designers are able to follow fashion trends and even forecast future fashion trends. They should understand a variety of fabrics and how they work as clothing. They may specialize in on facet of clothing such as costuming, children’s wear, handbags and shoes, and more.

Median salary: $63,760
Hourly salary: $30.65
Growth: -3%
Number employed: 22,300

Fashion writers may write about fashion and the fashion world for fashion magazines, blogs and online publications. They may be required to travel to cover designer collections and fashion shows. They have knowledge of fashion and strong research skills.

Median salary: $57,750
Hourly salary: $27.77
Growth: 3%
Number employed: 129,100

Keep abreast of the latest fashion trends and anticipate future trends, have connections and insight into the fashion world, understand the history of fashion, and understand business principals as well. They are able to combine those skills to discern what fashions should be obtained for sale in their organization or company. They should understand textiles and fabric and understand how these aspects of fashion appeal to customers, along with overall design.

Median salary: $52,370
Hourly salary: $25.18
Growth: 4%
Number employed: 125,000