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Fashion editor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fashion editor. Fashion editors usually study journalism, graphic design, or specialized sales and merchandising. 78% of fashion editors hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 719 real fashion editor resumes to see exactly what fashion editor education sections show.
The most common colleges for fashion editors are the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
There are also many online fashion editor courses to help get the education required to be a fashion editor.
What education do you need to become a fashion editor?
What degree do you need to be a fashion editor?
- Bachelor's, 78%
- Associate, 11%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a fashion editor?
- Journalism, 13%
- Graphic Design, 11%
- Communication, 11%
- Other Majors, 54%
Most common colleges for fashion editors
| Fashion editor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 27.97% |
| New York University | 6.29% |
| Syracuse University | 5.59% |
| Howard University | 4.90% |
| American InterContinental University | 4.90% |
Best majors for fashion editors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journalism | 13.0% |
| 2 | Graphic Design | 11.4% |
| 3 | Specialized Sales And Merchandising | 11.0% |
| 4 | Communication | 10.5% |
| 5 | English | 8.2% |
Best colleges for fashion editors
The best colleges for fashion editors are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.
A fashion editor 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 editors. 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 editors.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
9. American University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$48,459
Enrollment
7,485
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for fashion editors
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. 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. 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...
6. 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...
7. Fashion 101 Design & Styling- Textures, Shaping, & More!
Learn the Fundamentals of Fashion Design & Styling Including: Textures, Patterns, Body Types, & More!...
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. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC Intermediate
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
11. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC - Beginners
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
12. 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...
13. 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...
14. Fabrics for Fashion Design: Essential Learning for Designers
Fundamental Categories, Characteristics, Properties of Fabric: Develop a Fashion Collection Using Fabric As Inspiration...
15. 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...
16. Fashion Design: Sketch in 3D using Marvelous Designer
Turn your Fashion Drawing into a 3D Garment...
17. 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...
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. Pattern Cutting & Making for Absolute Beginners - Fashion
The ultimate video series for learning basic pattern cutting/making. WE DON'T COVER BLOCK CREATION...
20. Dress to Kill: A Men's Primer on Style and Fashion
How to be the Best Dressed Man in the Room...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fashion editors
The most affordable schools for fashion editors are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for fashion editors 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 editors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. University of Houston - Victoria
Victoria, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$6,491
Cost of attendance
19,075
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
8. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fashion editors
The hardest universities for fashion editors to get into are Northwestern University, Washington University in St Louis, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for fashion editors 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 editors 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
10. University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL • Private
Admissions rate
32%
SAT average
1,365
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fashion editors
The easiest schools for fashion editors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and grand view university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fashion editor 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 editors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
7. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
8. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
9. Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,002
10. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
Average fashion editor salary by education level
| Fashion editor education level | Fashion editor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $65,027 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $61,086 |
| Doctorate Degree | $68,062 |
Fashion editor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025