Fashion and Apparel Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips students with the creative and technical expertise needed to thrive in the dynamic world of commercial fashion and apparel development. Focused on the intersection of artistry, innovation, and industry practice, it prepares learners to conceptualize, design, and bring to life wearable art across diverse demographics and markets.
- Apparel Design: Mastery of garment creation from initial sketch to finished product, emphasizing form, function, and aesthetic appeal across various styles and silhouettes.
- Accessory Design: Development of innovative and market-ready accessories, including footwear, handbags, jewelry, and headwear, aligned with contemporary fashion trends.
- Design for Diverse Demographics: Specialized study in creating apparel tailored to men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion segments, with attention to fit, cultural context, and target audience needs.
- Flat Pattern Design: Precision techniques for translating 2D sketches into accurate, producible patterns that ensure consistency and structural integrity in garment construction.
- Computer-Assisted Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM): Hands-on training in digital tools that streamline design visualization, pattern grading, and production workflows, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
- Concept Planning: Strategic development of cohesive fashion collections through mood boards, theme exploration, and narrative-driven design processes.
- Material-Specific Design: In-depth understanding of how different textiles—natural, synthetic, and technical fabrics—behave, perform, and influence design outcomes.
- Labor and Cost Analysis: Evaluation of production expenses, labor requirements, and pricing strategies to ensure financial viability and competitive positioning.
- History of Fashion: Critical examination of historical movements, cultural shifts, and iconic designers that have shaped modern fashion expression and industry evolution.
- Fabric Art and Printing: Exploration of textile embellishment techniques, including screen printing, digital textile design, dyeing, and surface decoration to elevate design impact.
- Management and Operations in Fashion: Foundational knowledge in supply chain logistics, project management, sustainability practices, and business strategy within the global fashion ecosystem.
Fashion and Apparel Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Fashion and Apparel Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Fashion and Apparel Design degrees, including Fashion Designers and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 118,800 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Designers 27-1022 | $80,690 | $35,970 - $169,620 | 20,910 | $38.79 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
Fashion and Apparel Design Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,520 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 161% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, California, and Tennessee. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 118,800 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Fashion and Apparel Design by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Fashion and Apparel Design programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Fashion and Apparel Design is found at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (617 graduates), The New School (290 graduates), Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (200 graduates), FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) (171 graduates), and Kent State University, Kent (122 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,128 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
617 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| The New School |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
290 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
200 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) |
Associate's
|
171 | Los Angeles, California | Private | fidm.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
122 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
94 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
80 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Bachelor's
|
49 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
47 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
|
46 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| Otis College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Los Angeles, California | Private | otis.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
33 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
32 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
29 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | massart.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Albright College |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Private | albright.edu |
| Seattle Central College |
Associate's
|
27 | Seattle, Washington | Public | seattlecentral.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| Marist College |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | marist.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Clark Atlanta University (CAU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | cau.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Wade College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
23 | Dallas, Texas | Private | wadecollege.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
21 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| California College of the Arts (CCA) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | San Francisco, California | Private | cca.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Lasell University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Newton, Massachusetts | Private | lasell.edu |
| University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | uiw.edu |
| Clary Sage College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | clarysagecollege.com |
| Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | Mount Laurel, New Jersey | Public | rcbc.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
14 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | pucpr.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| College of Alameda (CoA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Alameda, California | Public | alameda.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Other Award
|
12 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| College for Creative Studies (CCS) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | collegeforcreativestudies.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Other Award
|
11 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Bergen Community College (BCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Paramus, New Jersey | Public | bergen.edu |
| Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | ccad.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| SUNY Westchester Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Valhalla, New York | Public | sunywcc.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| Academia Serrant Inc |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | serrant.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
8 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| West Valley College (WVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Saratoga, California | Public | westvalley.edu |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | rmcad.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Marymount University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Arlington, Virginia | Private | marymount.edu |
| Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico (EAPD) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | eap.edu |
| Stevenson University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Owings Mills, Maryland | Private | stevenson.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Centenary University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
7 | Hackettstown, New Jersey | Private | centenaryuniversity.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
|
7 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Portland, Maine | Private | meca.edu |
| Framingham State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Framingham, Massachusetts | Public | framingham.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
6 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Ulster County Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Stone Ridge, New York | Public | sunyulster.edu |
| Moore College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | moore.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Mount Mary University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | mtmary.edu |
| American InterContinental University (AIU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | aiuniv.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Canada College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Redwood City, California | Public | canadacollege.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Associate's
|
5 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| Sierra College |
Other Award
|
5 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Brenau University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Gainesville, Georgia | Private | brenau.edu |
| Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | bccc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Fashion and Apparel Design programs
How much can I earn with a Fashion and Apparel Design degree?
Salaries for Fashion and Apparel Design graduates vary by role and location. Fashion Designers earn a median of $80,690 annually, while Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $80,190. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 118,800 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Fashion and Apparel Design programs?
Currently 121 accredited institutions offer Fashion and Apparel Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (617 graduates), The New School (290 graduates), and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (200 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Fashion and Apparel Design growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,386 in 2010 to a peak of 3,470 in 2020, before declining slightly to 3,186 in 2023-24. This represents a 27% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Fashion and Apparel Design degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Fashion Designers, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 118,800 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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