Best institutions to study Fashion and Fabric Consultant
A program that prepares individuals to assist in apparel and fashion selection, style coordination, customer sales and consulting, fabric selection, clothing specifications, and contract buying activities.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 38 Fashion and Fabric Consultant students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0906, a specialization of Apparel and Textiles (CIP 19.09), and leads most directly to the Fashion Designers occupation (BLS SOC 27-1022).
About Fashion and Fabric Consultant programs
A program that prepares individuals to assist in apparel and fashion selection, style coordination, customer sales and consulting, fabric selection, clothing specifications, and contract buying activities. Includes instruction in supplying regular clothing needs or acting as a consultant for special events such as weddings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Fashion and Fabric Consultant program, part of the Apparel and Textiles field, prepares individuals to assist in various aspects of fashion and apparel selection. Students learn to coordinate styles, consult with clients, and select fabrics, making it ideal for those interested in a career in fashion consulting or retail. This program is suitable for creative individuals who enjoy working with clothing and have a passion for helping others express their personal style.
In this program, students develop critical skills in design, sales, and marketing, alongside knowledge in production processes and fine arts. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, equipping graduates with the tools needed to succeed in the fashion industry.
Credentials awarded
What Fashion and Fabric Consultant graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions45%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years12 graduates / yr · 2 institutions32%
- Bachelor's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution24%
Graduates over time
Fashion and Fabric Consultant completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2014 | 55 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 37 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2018 | 79 |
| 2019 | 68 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 47 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 38 |
Top 3 institutions for Fashion and Fabric Consultant, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 14 | 34% | $40,294 | $27,630 |
| 2 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 13 | 25% | — | — |
| 3 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Apparel and Textiles field (CIP 19.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Fashion and Fabric Consultant graduates come from. Each state links to all Apparel and Textiles programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2 | 24 | College of DuPage13 / yr |
| California | 1 | 14 | Academy of Art University14 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1022, Fashion Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Fashion and Fabric Consultant program can pursue careers as Fashion Designers, among other roles. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2% and approximately 2,300 annual job openings. The median wage for this occupation is $80,690, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0906
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fashion Designersprimary SOC 27-1022 | $80,960 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~2,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Fashion and Fabric Consultant programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Apparel and Textiles specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Apparel and Textiles (CIP 19.09).
- Apparel and TextilesCIP 19.09011,825 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Apparel and Textile Marketing ManagementCIP 19.0905530 graduates / yr32 institutions
- Apparel and Textile ManufactureCIP 19.0902244 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Apparel and TextilesCIP 19.0999partial data34 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Textile ScienceCIP 19.0904limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers an Associate's degree, an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, and a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
Students will gain skills in critical thinking, active listening, speaking, and writing, along with knowledge in design and sales.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2% and approximately 2,300 annual openings.
What can I expect to earn in this field?+
The median wage for Fashion Designers is $80,690.
What is the CIP code for Fashion and Fabric Consultant?+
Fashion and Fabric Consultant is CIP 19.0906 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Apparel and Textiles (CIP 19.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to assist in apparel and fashion selection, style coordination, customer sales and consulting, fabric selection, clothing specifications, and contract buying activities. Includes instruction in supplying regular clothing needs or acting as a consultant for special events such as weddings.
How many institutions offer Fashion and Fabric Consultant programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Fashion and Fabric Consultant graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 38 credentials in the year. That is 1.4% of all Apparel and Textiles graduates.
How much do Fashion and Fabric Consultant graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Fashion Designers occupation, which Fashion and Fabric Consultant most directly leads to, pays a median of $80,960 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Apparel and Textiles field report median earnings of $27,630 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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