Pattern grader education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a pattern grader. Pattern graders usually study graphic design, fine arts, or engineering and industrial management. 55% of pattern graders hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 40 real pattern grader resumes to see exactly what pattern grader education sections show.

The most common colleges for pattern graders are the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

There are also many online pattern grader courses to help get the education required to be a pattern grader.

What education do you need to become a pattern grader?

What degree do you need to be a pattern grader?

The most common degree for pattern graders is bachelor's degree, with 55% of pattern graders earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 27% and associate degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 55%

Associate, 27%

Master's, 9%

Diploma, 9%

What should I major in to become a pattern grader?

You should major in graphic design to become a pattern grader. 55% of pattern graders major in graphic design. Other common majors for a pattern grader include fine arts and engineering and industrial management.

Graphic Design, 55%

Fine Arts, 9%

Engineering And Industrial Management, 9%

Computer Science, 9%

Other Majors, 18%

Most common colleges for pattern graders

Pattern graders often get their degrees at Fashion Institute of Technology, Columbia College Chicago, and New Jersey City University. Here are the most common colleges for pattern graders in the US based on their resumes.

Pattern grader common college	Percentages
Fashion Institute of Technology	50.00%
Columbia College Chicago	12.50%
New Jersey City University	12.50%
The University of the Arts	12.50%
Hunter College of the City University of New York	12.50%

Best majors for pattern graders

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Graphic Design	54.5%
2	Fine Arts	9.1%
3	Engineering And Industrial Management	9.1%
4	Computer Science	9.1%
5	Mathematics	9.1%

Show more common pattern grader majors

Best colleges for pattern graders

The best colleges for pattern graders are Cornell University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A pattern grader with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for pattern graders. 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 pattern graders.

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. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Enrollment

32,072

6. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

7. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

8. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

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 pattern graders

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Top 10 most affordable universities for pattern graders

The most affordable schools for pattern graders are Fashion Institute of Technology, suny farmingdale, and florida state university.

If the best universities for pattern graders 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 pattern graders.

1. Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$5,740

Cost of attendance

17,864

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

8. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

9. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Cost of attendance

25,228

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Cost of attendance

23,600

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for pattern graders

The hardest universities for pattern graders to get into are Cornell University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for pattern graders 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 pattern graders 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. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

5. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

6. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,465

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,365

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,336

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for pattern graders

The easiest schools for pattern graders to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, university of the incarnate word, and lim college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a pattern grader 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 pattern graders.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

4. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average pattern grader salary by education level

Pattern graders with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $89,955 annually. With a Associate degree, pattern graders earn a median annual income of $71,921 compared to $51,600 for pattern graders with an High School Diploma degree.

Pattern grader education level	Pattern grader salary
High School Diploma or Less	$51,600
Bachelor's Degree	$89,955
Some College/ Associate Degree	$71,921

Pattern grader education FAQs

What is the best college for Pattern Graders?

Have more questions? See all answers to common production and manufacturing questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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