Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Fashion designer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fashion designer. Fashion designers usually study graphic design, specialized sales and merchandising, or fine arts. 61% of fashion designers hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,522 real fashion designer resumes to see exactly what fashion designer education sections show.
The most common colleges for fashion designers are the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
There are also many online fashion designer courses to help get the education required to be a fashion designer.
There are certain fashion designer certifications that you should consider. These fashion designer certifications include Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) and Certified Digital Designer (CDD).
What education do you need to become a fashion designer?
What degree do you need to be a fashion designer?
- Bachelor's, 61%
- Associate, 22%
- Master's, 7%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a fashion designer?
- Graphic Design, 61%
- Fine Arts, 6%
- Business, 5%
- Other Majors, 21%
Most common colleges for fashion designers
| Fashion designer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 27.08% |
| Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco | 9.23% |
| The New School | 8.63% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 6.85% |
| FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising | 6.25% |
Best majors for fashion designers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic Design | 60.8% |
| 2 | Specialized Sales And Merchandising | 7.2% |
| 3 | Fine Arts | 6.0% |
| 4 | Business | 5.4% |
| 5 | Apparel And Textiles | 4.1% |
Best colleges for fashion designers
The best colleges for fashion designers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Cornell University.
A fashion designer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fashion designers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fashion designers.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
5. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
6. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
7. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
20 best online courses for fashion designers
Advertising disclosure
1. Fashion as Design
Among all objects of design, our clothes are the most universal and intimate. Like other kinds of design, fashion thrives on productive tensions between form and function, automation and craftsmanship, standardization and customization, universality and self-expression, and pragmatism and utopian vision. It exists in the service of others, and it can have profound consequences—social, political, cultural, economic, and environmental. Fashion as Design focuses on a selection of more than 70...
2. Digital Fashion Industry
Digital Fashion Industry is a collaboration between Parsons School of Design at The New School and The Digital Fashion Group Academy. This course explains how digital technologies have the potential to dramatically impact and positively improve the fashion industry by creating a more sustainable digital ecosystem. You will explore the role of the consumer as they demand a shift towards more ethically sourced products and brands, focusing on how this transformation happens through the support of...
3. Fabrics for Fashion Design: Essential Learning for Designers
Fundamental Categories, Characteristics, Properties of Fabric: Develop a Fashion Collection Using Fabric As Inspiration...
4. Intro to Fashion Illustration -Beginners- Fashion Design
Covering a range of drawing and design techniques, various materials, and tools to create finished fashion illustration!...
5. Digital Fashion Innovation
Digital Fashion Innovation is a collaboration between Parsons School of Design at The New School and The Digital Fashion Group Academy.\n\nIn this specialization, we examine the revolution of the fashion industry as it has set course towards a more digital and sustainable future. Through three different courses, you will not only look creatively at the ways technology can combat industry-wide challenges in fashion, but actively explore avenues to join the effort to create a more ethical fashion...
6. Digital Fashion Mindset
Digital Fashion Mindset is a collaboration between Parsons School of Design at The New School and The Digital Fashion Group Academy. This course teaches you to recognize the significance of the digital revolution in historical and present-day contexts and how it relates to the fashion industry’s ability to use technology creatively and collaboratively. Digital Fashion Mindset teaches you to recognize the significance of the digital revolution in historical and present-day contexts and how it...
7. Draping for Fashion Design - Creative Techniques Made Simple
Basic Draping Skills and Techniques to Develop Your Fashion Design Patterns. 1-Dart, 2-Dart Bodice. Skirt. Circle Skirt...
8. How To Create A Fashion Collection and Launch Your Own Brand
Designing a Fashion Line. A step-by-step Comprehensive Guide for Mastering Fashion Designing: from Inspiration to Market...
9. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC Intermediate
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
10. Sketching for Fashion Design ~ Beginner Course for Designers
Learn Step-by-Step Professional Fashion Drawing Techniques. Using Croquis, Plumb Lines, Body Movement, Shading, Folds et...
11. Pattern Making for Fashion Design -PART 1- Essential Skills!
How to Use Pattern Making Principals and Techniques to Draft and Manipulate Patterns to Create Your Fashion Design Ideas...
12. Fashion 101 Design & Styling- Textures, Shaping, & More!
Learn the Fundamentals of Fashion Design & Styling Including: Textures, Patterns, Body Types, & More!...
13. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC - Beginners
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
14. Pattern Making for Fashion Design - PART 2 (Yokes, Stripes,)
Pattern Making, Draping, Design Elements, Together as Techniques to Create New Designs: Yokes, Stripes, Princess Seams...
15. Fashion Design: Sketch in 3D using Marvelous Designer
Turn your Fashion Drawing into a 3D Garment...
16. Basic Fashion Illustration
From a 4-month course to a 2-hour video. Learn the simple techniques of how to draw fashion figures and postures...
17. Fashion Marketing Strategy: How To Promote & Sell Your Brand
Essential Strategies for Brand Management for Success in Fashion Design. Social Commerce is the New Storefront...
18. Fashion Blogging: Starting a Fashion Blog
Fashion blogging made simple - wordpress, photography, blog name, brand collaborations...
19. Become a fashion buyer - learn the essentials
Learn the essential tasks of a fashion buyer and skills required to secure your first role!...
20. Pattern Cutting & Making for Absolute Beginners - Fashion
The ultimate video series for learning basic pattern cutting/making. WE DON'T COVER BLOCK CREATION...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fashion designers
The most affordable schools for fashion designers are Florida State University, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for fashion designers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fashion designers.
1. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fashion designers
The hardest universities for fashion designers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Cornell University.
Some great schools for fashion designers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fashion designers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
4. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
9. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,465
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fashion designers
The easiest schools for fashion designers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fashion designer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fashion designers.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
10. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
Average fashion designer salary by education level
| Fashion designer education level | Fashion designer salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $51,961 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $66,710 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $67,570 |
Fashion designer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for fashion designer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025