by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, fashion design was the 223rd most popular major nationwide with 3,103 degrees awarded. This 367 less than the prior year, a decrease of 11.8%.
This year's Best Fashion Design Schools ranking compares 76 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of fashion studies programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in fashion design is talking to others to convey information effectively. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision making are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most fashion studies degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional fashion studies certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different fashion studies degree levels. Fashion Design programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest fashion studies degree you can get. The type of fashion studies degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to fashion studies, with approximately 25.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to fashion studies tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 34.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 21.6% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 12.6% |
| Some College Courses | 8.1% |
About 65.7% of workers in careers related to fashion studies obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in fashion design have received.
This of course varies depending on which fashion studies career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your fashion studies degree? Fashion Design careers are expected to grow 10.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fashion design.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Fashion Designers | 24,400 | 2.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for fashion studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for fashion design graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers fashion studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Fashion Designers | $87,610 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
With over 226 different fashion studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased fashion studies school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Design & Applied Arts area of study, Fashion Design has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 8,710 |
| Interior Design | 5,840 |
| Visual Communications | 5,765 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 3,597 |
| Game & Interactive Media Design | 2,692 |
