Fashion Schools in the United States
Fashionistas can be spotted through the land of the free anytime. With immense cities like New York and Los Angeles offering iconic lifestyles, it’s not surprising that people are venturing into the world of fashion by pursuing studies at fashion schools and institutes in the United States. Because of this trend, we created this page where you can get all the information you need to study fashion in the US.
The country is home to plenty of fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Coach, among others. Furthermore, it is the cradle of iconic fashion designers such as Tom Ford, Michael Kors, and Vera Wang. Because of prestigious institutions like the Fashion Institute of Technology and the influence of New York Fashion Week, the United States of America is also a global leader in textile innovation and fashion trends.
The fashion industry is massive and filled with opportunity. In fact, the US fashion industry’s revenue surpassed $300 billion in 2022 alone. Given the circumstances, pursuing a career in fashion may be an attractive option. Because of the industry’s vast dimensions and information, we built a content table in which you can browse the sections that interest you. Check it out below.
Table of Contents
How to get into the United States?
Going to the USA is a good experience. However, if you want to attend the fashion schools and institutes in the United States, you must meet certain requirements. If you are an American, feel free to skip this section. The requirements are…
- Having a student visa and being accepted by a School
The United States has specific permits for travelers. In this case, if you want to study at a fashion institute, you will need a student’s visa. Before even start the process, you need to be accepted by the school.
- Having all diplomas and degrees translated
It’s a requirement for the US government, and for most fashion schools in the United States, to translate your degrees into English before applying for your studies.
- Having an English certificate
To be eligible, you must demonstrate your knowledge of English, especially in the academic vocabulary. You will be asked to provide your TOEFL and IELTS scores, which are the main internationally recognized English certificates.
And the visa….
No matter which country you are in, you will need to have an interview and complete all of the necessary paperwork in order to obtain a visa. This interview happens at the US embassy or consulate.
The visa is called F-1, and you can obtain it after being accepted by the institute and having enough resources to support yourself (along with the things mentioned above).
What are the Fashion Schools in the United States?
It’s a large country with numerous possibilities for exploration. Because of these circumstances, we divided the country into five regions. Every region is organized from the most populous to the least. For example, if you want to attend a fashion school in New York, the schools and institutes are located near the beginning of the Northeast section. Regardless of these minor details, here is a list of fashion schools in the United States, including their type and location (by area and state).
Northeast
The northeastern region is the most significant area on the east coast. It comprises important states such as New York and Pennsylvania. It serves as the birthplace of American independence ideals and forms the core of United States history. As you can imagine, this is also the region where New York City is located. The city that never sleeps is the cosmopolitan version of the United States, where one of the most important fashion weeks takes place. In fact, this reality has led to the recognition of New York’s fashion schools and institutes as the best in the world. In this section, you will find all the fashion schools in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and more.
New York
- Parsons School of Design (Private)
- Fashion Institute of Technology (Public)
- Pratt Institute (Private)
- LIM College (Private)
- Cornell University (Private)
- Syracuse University (Private)
- Marist College (Private)
Pennsylvania
- Albright College (Private)
- Drexel University (Private)
- Made Institute (Private)
- University of Pennsylvania (Public)
- Thomas Jefferson University (Private)
New Jersey
- Montclair State University (Public)
- Burlington County College (Public)
- Centenary College (Private)
- Brookdale Community College (Public)
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design (Public)
- Lasell University (Private)
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (Public)
- Bay State College (Public)
- Framingham State University (Public)
Maryland
- Baltimore City Community College (Public)
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Public)
New Hampshire
- Southern New Hampshire University (Public)
Maine
- Maine College of Art & Design (Private)
Rhode Island
- Johnson & Wales University (Private)
- University of Rhode Island (Public)
- Rhode Island School of Design (Private)
Delaware
- Delaware State University(Public)
- University of Delaware (public)
Vermont
- Bennington College (Private)
Southeast
In contrast to fashion schools and institutes in New York, the southeast provides a unique perspective. With prominent cities such as Miami, the region gives lots of material for creativity and culture, especially for the warmer season. If your goal is to create aesthetics associated with the summer and resort seasons, the Southeast, particularly Florida, is a wonderful place to start. Furthermore, because there are a large number of Spanish-speaking immigrants in Florida, the schools offer classes in Spanish.
Florida
- Lynn University (Private)
- Miami Dade College (Public)
- Istituto Marangoni Miami (Private)
Georgia
- The Savannah College of Art and Design (Private)
- University of Georgia (Public)
- Clark Atlanta University (Private)
- Brenau University (Private)
- The Art Institute of Atlanta (Private)
- American Intercontinental University (Private)
North Carolina
- Meredith College (Private)
- North Carolina State University (Public)
Tennessee
- Belmont University (Private)
- Tennessee Technological University (Public)
- Lipscomb University (Private)
Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University (Public)
- Liberty University (Private)
- Marymount University (Private)
- The Art Institute of Virginia Beach (Private)
Missouri
- Lindenwood University (Private)
- Washington University in St. Louis (Private)
- Stephens College (Private)
- University of Missouri (Public)
- University of Central Missouri (Public)
- Fontbonne University (Private)
South Carolina
- Bob Jones University (Private)
Alabama
- University of Alabama (Public)
Arkansas
- University of Arkansas (Public)
Mississippi
- University of Southern Mississippi (Public)
- Hinds Community College (Public)
Kentucky
- University of Kentucky (Public)
- Eastern Kentucky University (Public)
West Virginia
- West Virginia University (Public)
Midwest
The Midwestern part of the United States is a powerhouse for manufacturing, textiles, and, particularly, retail. Furthermore, due to its broad territory, there are many affordable institutions that are less expensive than New York’s fashion schools. As is typical in the region, towns and small cities host the majority of courses.
Illinois
- College of DuPage (Private)
- Columbia College Chicago (Private)
- Dominican University (Private)
- Illinois State University (Public)
- William Rainey Harper College (Public)
Ohio
- Kent State University (Public)
- University of Cincinnati (Public)
- Ursuline College (Private)
- Columbus College of Art & Design (Private)
- The North Coast College (Private)
Michigan
- Central Michigan University (Public)
- Finlandia University (Private)
- Michigan State University (Public)
- Western Michigan University (Public)
- Ferris State University (Public)
- College for Creative Studies (Private)
Indiana
- Ball State University (Public)
- Vincennes University (Private)
- Indiana State University (Public)
- Indiana University-Bloomington (Public)
Wisconsin
- Mount Mary University (Private)
- University of Wisconsin (Public)
Minnesota
- St. Catherine University (Private)
- University of Minnesota (Public)
Iowa
- Iowa State University (Public)
Kansas
- Kansas State University (Public)
- Johnson County Community College (Public)
Nebraska
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Public)
South Dakota
- South Dakota State University (Public)
North Dakota
- North Dakota State University (Public)
Southwest
Surprisingly, the Southwest has its own distinct characteristics. With an original rural culture and a variety of climates, studying fashion could be an excellent chance for people interested in environmental and “country” fashion. Texas is by far the most significant hub for country fashion, so studying in the Lone Star State can be a good place to start.
Texas
- El Paso Community College (Public)
- Houston Community College (Public)
- The Art Institute of Dallas (Private)
- University of Incarnate Word (Private)
Arizona
- Phoenix College (Public)
- Mesa Community College (Public)
- Pima Community College (Public)
Oklahoma
- Clary Sage College (Private)
New Mexico
- Santa Fe Community College (Public)
West
The western region of the United States is the country’s largest. With its vast geography, weather, and unique multicultural heritage, the West provides numerous opportunities for fashion students. Unlike the fashion schools in New York and the entire East Coast, the region offers a distinct approach to fashion, mainly due to its proximity to Hollywood and the film industry. Apart from Hollywood, the culture of sports opens up new paths, particularly with basketball and the entire sports industry behind it. You must be aware that the cost of living in California and Hawaii is high, just like in New York, so it’s important to check for more details about it.
California
- Woodbury University (Private)
- Art Institute of California (Private)
- California State University (Public)
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (Private)
- Otis College of Art and Design (Private)
- West Valley College (Private)
- City College of San Francisco (Public)
- Cuesta College (Private)
- El Camino College (Public)
- Saddleback College (Public)
- San Joaquin Delta College (Public)
Washington
- Washington State University (Public)
- Seattle Community College-Central Campus (Private)
- Seattle Pacific University (Private)
Colorado
- Colorado State University (Public)
Utah
- Utah State University (Public)
- Salt Lake Community College (Public)
Idaho
- University of Idaho (Public)
Hawaii
- University of Hawaii (Public)
- Honolulu Community College (Public)
The best fashion schools in the United States
In fact, choosing a fashion institute in a vast country like the United States will be challenging. Because of the large number of institutes, the economic magazine CEOWORLD made a list based on the academic performance, hiring rate, and academic research of the fashion schools and institutes in the United States. Here is the list of the top 10, along with the annual fees. The numbers are updated for 2024.
- Parsons School of Design ($58,000, equally for all students)
- Fashion Institute of Technology ($10,000 for NY students, $25,000 for non-NY students + $2,150 for materials)
- Drexel University ($58,965, equally for all students)
- The Savannah College of Art and Design ($44,270, equally for all students)
- Stephens College ($26,800, equally for all students)
- Cornell University ($46,056 for NY students, $68,380 for non-NY students)
- Kent State University ($37,574 for US citizens, $53,844 for international students)
- LIM college ($32,644 for US citizen, $33,644 for International Students)
- Thomas Jefferson University ($46,175, equally for all students)
- University of Minnesota ($17,190 for Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin residents, $37,802 for non-residents)
How much it will cost?
The United States is a massive country that is roughly the size of Europe. Because of its size, each state and city has a distinct way of life and cost of living. Here you can find the average costs of studying at a Fashion School in the United States. It’s important to remember: studying in a fashion school in New York is completely different from studying in Los Angeles or San Francisco, so choose wisely.
Tuition fees
- The United States has public and private institutes. Both charge tuition fees annually.
- Each institute has its own tuition policy, but typically non-American students are charged more than American students, especially at public institutions.
- Scholarships are available (or even free tuition). To be eligible, you must demonstrate proficiency in both academics and the admission test.
Visa and Bureaucracy Costs
- The American government charges a fee of 160 dollars for applying for a student visa.
- Furthermore, if you need to extend your visa, you will need to pay 350 dollars for the process and 85 dollars for the fingerprint service.
- Be aware, asking for an extension will require a lawyer or attorney. In this case, the cost of the service will be 1000 dollars or more.
Travel costs
- In fact, the United States is one of the most visited countries on earth. Millions of people go to famous cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Because of this, it’s important to be remember that January and February (in winter) are two of the best months for traveling due to the low prices of flight tickets.
- The cost of a flight may vary due to the country’s size. As a starting point, flying domestically may cost $200 or more. The distance between you and the US determines the price of your ticket when you are abroad.
- It’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand in case of an emergency. You are permitted to bring up to 10,000 dollars on a trip.
First days costs
- During the first days, maybe you will need to stay in a hotel until you can move to your place.
- New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are all global cities. This means that the prices there are also higher than in other American cities, so the cost of living, such as food and especially transportation, can vary a lot.
- The country is made up of millions of immigrants with different cultural backgrounds. Thanks to this, you can find diverse types of food and cuisine. A meal in a restaurant could cost you 40 dollars (without including the tax and the service), and groceries could cost you 50 dollars per week. In addition, there is fast food, which is cheap but not recommended to be eaten daily.
- It is not an exaggeration to say that the United States is the land of the automobile. If you need to transport yourself through the city, you will need to have a car, so be aware that you have to rent a car. In this case, you will need a driver’s license and be at least 25 years old.
Housing and Rent
- The Fashion Schools and institutes in the United States have their own partnerships with housing for students (and some even have their own housing). This is a reality that is shared by the majority of the country’s institutions and schools. In this case, you will not need to be worried about housing.
Official channels and contact
It’s extremely important to know all the details about studying in the United States, and the american government has a official channel for explaining each procedure. Here is the channel:
Official government information for the student Visa.