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Fashion director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fashion director. Fashion directors usually study specialized sales and merchandising, graphic design, or business. 73% of fashion directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 418 real fashion director resumes to see exactly what fashion director education sections show.
The most common colleges for fashion directors are the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
There are also many online fashion director courses to help get the education required to be a fashion director.
What education do you need to become a fashion director?
What degree do you need to be a fashion director?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a fashion director?
- Graphic Design, 15%
- Business, 10%
- Communication, 10%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for fashion directors
| Fashion director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 25.51% |
| Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco | 7.14% |
| The New School | 6.12% |
| New York University | 6.12% |
| Florida State University | 5.10% |
Best majors for fashion directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Specialized Sales And Merchandising | 16.1% |
| 2 | Graphic Design | 14.9% |
| 3 | Business | 10.1% |
| 4 | Communication | 9.7% |
| 5 | Marketing | 8.1% |
Best colleges for fashion directors
The best colleges for fashion directors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A fashion director 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 directors. 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 directors.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. University of Maryland - Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$11,778
Enrollment
11,156
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for fashion directors
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. 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...
3. Fashion Blogging: Starting a Fashion Blog
Fashion blogging made simple - wordpress, photography, blog name, brand collaborations...
4. 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...
5. Transforming the Fashion Business
In this specialization, you will analyze the fashion business and how it must evolve into a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable manifestation of itself. You’ll explore the “slow fashion” movement, the historical underpinnings of the current fashion system, and imperatives for a more holistic, sustainable future. You’ll look at the design process from the perspective of analytical and statistical trend forecasting and how to bring new strategies and technologies into your design approach, all...
6. Intro to Fashion Illustration -Beginners- Fashion Design
Covering a range of drawing and design techniques, various materials, and tools to create finished fashion illustration!...
7. 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...
8. Become a fashion buyer - learn the essentials
Learn the essential tasks of a fashion buyer and skills required to secure your first role!...
9. 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...
10. Fashion 101 Design & Styling- Textures, Shaping, & More!
Learn the Fundamentals of Fashion Design & Styling Including: Textures, Patterns, Body Types, & More!...
11. 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...
12. 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...
13. Fabrics for Fashion Design: Essential Learning for Designers
Fundamental Categories, Characteristics, Properties of Fabric: Develop a Fashion Collection Using Fabric As Inspiration...
14. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC Intermediate
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
15. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC - Beginners
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
16. 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...
17. Fashion Design: Sketch in 3D using Marvelous Designer
Turn your Fashion Drawing into a 3D Garment...
18. 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...
19. How To Dress Like A Fashion Icon New Style, New You!
Be your own PERSONAL STYLIST, Master your IMAGE boost your CONFIDENCE! Learn FASHION STYLING from this BESTSELLER course...
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 directors
The most affordable schools for fashion directors are SUNY Farmingdale, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for fashion directors 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 directors.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
10. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fashion directors
The hardest universities for fashion directors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for fashion directors 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 directors 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fashion directors
The easiest schools for fashion directors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, wayland baptist university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fashion director 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 directors.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average fashion director salary by education level
| Fashion director education level | Fashion director salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $108,689 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $169,759 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $173,684 |
Fashion director education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025