by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, costume design was the 1,122 most popular major nationwide with 52 degrees awarded. This represents a 53.8% reduction in costume design degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 80.
This year's Best Costume Design Schools ranking compares 9 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom costume design rankings further below.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to costume design. 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 costume design degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional costume design certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different costume design degree levels. You can get anything from a in costume design to the highest costume design degree, a . The time it takes to complete a costume design degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 costume design, with approximately 25.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for costume design workers below.
| 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 costume design obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in costume design have received.
The education level required is different depending on the costume design career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your costume design degree? Costume 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 costume 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 costume design graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for costume design graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers costume design grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Fashion Designers | $87,610 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
With over 21 different costume design 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 costume design school rankings to help you with this.
Costume Design is one of 9 different types of Drama & Theater Arts programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theater Arts | 11,385 |
| Acting | 1,793 |
| Theater Design & Technology | 1,164 |
| Musical Theater | 995 |
| Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft | 862 |
Image Credit: By Donald Judge under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
