Best degree programs for Fashion Designers, ranked by enrollment
5 college programs and 134 schools train Fashion Designers. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $80,960 median wage, 21,450 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
5 college programs at 134 schools train fashion designers, graduating 3,561 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Fashion/Apparel Design. The job pays a median of $80,960 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About fashion designers
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
5 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 50.0407 | 3,243 | 91.1% | 119 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 2 | CIP 19.0902 | 244 | 6.9% | 19 | $36,635 | $24,750 |
| 3 | CIP 19.0906 | 38 | 1.1% | 3 | $36,635 | $24,750 |
| 4 | CIP 50.0510 | 32 | 0.9% | 11 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 5 | CIP 19.0904 | 4 | 0.1% | 1 | $36,635 | $24,750 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 761 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 81% | — | 60% |
| 2 | The New School New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 325 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 69% | $54,185 | 63% |
| 3 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 190 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 69% | $44,902 | 83% |
| 4 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 127 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 64% | — | 86% |
| 5 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 104 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 52% | $28,087 | 89% |
| 6 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 82 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 63% | — | 93% |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 78 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 68% | — | 90% |
| 8 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA Private for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 66 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 34% | $40,294 | — |
| 9 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 60 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 46% | — | — |
| 10 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 55 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 74% | $49,088 | 73% |
| 11 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN Public · 2 feeder programs | 53 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 20% | — | — |
| 12 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · 1 feeder programs | 53 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 65% | — | 88% |
| 13 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 49 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 78% | $36,004 | 79% |
| 14 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 48 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 35% | — | — |
| 15 | Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 43 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 49% | $36,717 | 64% |
| 16 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 69% | — | 70% |
| 17 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 61% | — | 72% |
| 18 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 36 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 75% | — | 85% |
| 19 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MA Public · 1 feeder programs | 35 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 69% | — | 76% |
| 20 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 35 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 48% | — | — |
| 21 | Otis College of Art and Design Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 66% | $44,867 | 82% |
| 22 | Dallas College Dallas, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 31 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 32% | — | — |
| 23 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 81% | — | 85% |
| 24 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Apparel and Textile Manufacture | 33% | — | 73% |
| 25 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 29 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 36% | — | — |
| 26 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Juan San Juan, PR Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 28 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 24% | $5,708 | 61% |
| 27 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · 1 feeder programs | 28 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 81% | — | 71% |
| 28 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 27 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 28% | — | — |
| 29 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL Public · 2 feeder programs | 27 | Apparel and Textile Manufacture | 48% | — | — |
| 30 | Academia Serrant Inc Ponce, PR Private for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 26 | Apparel and Textile Manufacture | 88% | $7,589 | — |
| 31 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, CO Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 26 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 32% | $28,500 | — |
| 32 | Houston City College Houston, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 17% | — | — |
| 33 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 80% | $33,867 | 57% |
| 34 | Palomar College San Marcos, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 38% | — | — |
| 35 | Wade College Dallas, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 54% | $25,989 | — |
| 36 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 24 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 80% | — | 78% |
| 37 | College of Alameda Alameda, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 23 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 33% | — | — |
| 38 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 23 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 69% | $26,034 | 81% |
| 39 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 20% | — | — |
| 40 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 64% | — | 81% |
| 41 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 24% | — | — |
| 42 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PR Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 21 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 43 | Albright College Reading, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 51% | $21,906 | 76% |
| 44 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 45% | — | — |
| 45 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 51% | $21,745 | 98% |
| 46 | West Valley College Saratoga, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 51% | — | — |
| 47 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 55% | $6,760 | 96% |
| 48 | Lasell University Newton, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 18 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 59% | $23,724 | 81% |
| 49 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · 1 feeder programs | 17 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 70% | — | 77% |
| 50 | American InterContinental University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 15 | Fashion/Apparel Design | 21% | $17,531 | — |
What fashion designers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $98,640 | 5,760 | 4.31× | 13 | 1,313 |
| California | — | 6,470 | 2.57× | 25 | 414 |
| Georgiamoderate | $78,340 | 120 | 0.17× | 3 | 248 |
| Texas | $40,040 | 1,850 | 0.95× | 10 | 209 |
| Ohio | $82,050 | 90 | 0.11× | 6 | 201 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,840 | 320 | 0.38× | 7 | 115 |
| Arizonamoderate | $45,720 | — | — | 3 | 105 |
| Virginialimited | $94,120 | 100 | 0.17× | 2 | 85 |
| New Jersey | $101,610 | 160 | 0.27× | 6 | 75 |
| Massachusettsmoderate | $103,520 | 540 | 1.08× | 4 | 65 |
| Michigan | $63,430 | 40 | 0.07× | 6 | 64 |
| Floridalimited | $43,020 | 1,100 | 0.80× | 1 | 60 |
| Minnesotalimited | $42,110 | 420 | 1.02× | 2 | 57 |
| Coloradolimited | $94,140 | 360 | 0.91× | 2 | 33 |
| Missourimoderate | — | 200 | 0.48× | 4 | 31 |
| Indianalimited | $40,740 | 120 | 0.27× | 1 | 24 |
| Washingtonmoderate | $82,030 | — | — | 3 | 24 |
| Oregonlimited | — | 860 | 3.17× | 1 | 17 |
| Utahlimited | — | 430 | 1.80× | 2 | 15 |
| North Carolinalimited | $74,990 | 460 | 0.68× | 2 | 14 |
| Hawaiilimited | $47,990 | — | — | 2 | 13 |
| Wisconsinmoderate | $57,030 | 120 | 0.30× | 3 | 12 |
| Marylandlimited | — | 120 | 0.32× | 2 | 10 |
| Kansaslimited | $59,150 | 40 | 0.22× | 1 | 8 |
| Mainelimited | $49,530 | 30 | 0.35× | 1 | 2 |
| Vermontlimited | $79,610 | 60 | 1.32× | 1 | 2 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
- Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
- Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
- Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
- Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.
Skills
- Active Listening3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Active Learning3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Monitoring3.5
- Writing3.4
- Learning Strategies3.1
Knowledge areas
- Design4.4
- Computers and Electronics3.4
- Production and Processing3.3
- Sales and Marketing3.2
- English Language3.1
- Fine Arts2.7
Abilities
- Originality4.3
- Written Comprehension3.9
- Fluency of Ideas3.9
- Oral Expression3.9
- Oral Comprehension3.8
- Near Vision3.8
Core activities
- Thinking Creatively4.8
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work4.6
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.2
- Getting Information4.2
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.2
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.1
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Fashion Designer
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 5 majors mapped to Fashion Designers5 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 19.0902Apparel and Textile Manufacture
- 19.0904Textile Science
- 19.0906Fashion and Fabric Consultant
- 50.0407Fashion/Apparel Design
- 50.0510Costume Design
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Fashion Designer?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Fashion/Apparel Design, which awarded 3,243 degrees in 2024-25, 91.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Fashion Designer?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 5 programs to this occupation. The largest are Design and Applied Arts, Apparel and Textiles, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Together they graduate about 3,561 people a year.
How much do fashion designers earn?+
The median is $80,960 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $39,490 at the 10th percentile to $146,870 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for fashion designers growing?+
BLS projects a +2.0% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 2,300 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
134 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 5 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do fashion designers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Designer, Apparel Designer, Costume Designer, Fashion Designer among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 27-1022.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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