Choosing the right fashion school is a pivotal step for aspiring designers, merchandisers, stylists, and fashion business professionals. The United States offers a diverse array of programs, from elite design conservatories to top-tier university departments with strong business, merchandising, or technology focuses. Factors such as specialization, curriculum, faculty expertise, internship opportunities, and location play a crucial role in shaping career outcomes. This guide highlights 50 of the most prestigious and respected U.S. fashion schools to help students identify programs aligned with their creative and professional goals.

Top 50 Fashion Design Schools In The US

1. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) – SUNY (New York, NY)

FIT is the premier public fashion college in the U.S., offering comprehensive programs in design, merchandising, business, and technology. Its NYC location provides direct access to major fashion houses, internships, and industry events. Students benefit from experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong alumni network. FIT emphasizes practical skills, creativity, and professional readiness, producing graduates who succeed in fashion design, merchandising, marketing, and apparel business leadership.

2. Parsons School of Design – The New School (New York, NY)

Parsons is globally renowned for avant-garde and conceptual fashion design. Programs emphasize creativity, sustainability, and social impact. Students gain rigorous training in design, pattern-making, and fashion business, collaborating with industry professionals in NYC. Alumni include Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Alexander Wang. Parsons fosters innovation, critical thinking, and global perspective, preparing graduates for careers as designers, creative directors, and entrepreneurs in high fashion and contemporary apparel industries.

3. Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY)

Pratt offers a fine arts approach to fashion, emphasizing craftsmanship, concept, and technical construction. Students explore design, textiles, and creative processes while developing strong portfolios for industry placement. The program balances artistic experimentation with professional skills. Alumni often succeed in fashion design, styling, and visual merchandising. Pratt’s interdisciplinary environment fosters innovation, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking, producing graduates capable of contributing to avant-garde, contemporary, and commercial fashion sectors worldwide.

4. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (Savannah, GA / Atlanta, GA)

SCAD combines massive resources, modern facilities, and a robust curriculum in fashion design, merchandising, and marketing. Students engage in hands-on projects, competitions, and internships, preparing for immediate industry employment. The school emphasizes creativity, entrepreneurship, and professional readiness, supported by a strong career placement network. Graduates are highly employable in global fashion houses, retail, and design industries, leveraging SCAD’s reputation, connections, and practical experience.

5. Kent State University — Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (Kent, OH)

Kent State excels in fashion merchandising and design, consistently ranked among top public programs. Students benefit from study-abroad options in NYC, Florence, and Paris, along with corporate partnerships. Programs emphasize technical skill, trend forecasting, business knowledge, and creative problem-solving. Graduates are prepared for careers in design, merchandising, product development, and management, equipped with professional portfolios and global industry experience.

6. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (Providence, RI)

RISD treats fashion as an intellectual, artistic discipline, emphasizing material exploration, sculpture, and conceptual design. Students develop strong technical skills, creative vision, and distinct aesthetic perspectives. The program fosters independent thinking, experimentation, and critical engagement with fashion as art. Graduates often pursue careers as innovative designers, artists, and creative leaders in the fashion industry, merging technical mastery with artistic integrity, shaping contemporary design discourse.

7. Drexel University — Westphal College of Media Arts & Design (Philadelphia, PA)

Drexel is known for its mandatory six-month co-op program, providing students with paid, real-world industry experience. Programs in design and merchandising emphasize technical skill, business strategy, and professional development. The curriculum balances creativity with market awareness, preparing graduates for careers in fashion design, merchandising, retail, and marketing. Drexel’s co-op model ensures students graduate with both a portfolio and practical industry experience, giving them a competitive edge in employment.

8. University of Cincinnati — College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) (Cincinnati, OH)

DAAP offers a competitive, professional fashion design program with extensive co-op opportunities. Students gain practical experience, technical training, and professional mentorship, emphasizing creativity, construction, and innovation. The program integrates business knowledge with design, preparing graduates for careers in apparel design, product development, and the global fashion industry. Alumni benefit from the school’s reputation, connections, and emphasis on combining artistic vision with professional readiness.

9. Cornell University — College of Human Ecology (Department of Human Centered Design) (Ithaca, NY)

Cornell’s program emphasizes the science, business, and sustainability of fashion, focusing on fiber science, product development, and management. It prepares students for leadership roles in the apparel industry, rather than couture design. The curriculum blends technical expertise, innovation, and analytical skills. Graduates pursue careers in product development, apparel manufacturing, merchandising, and fashion business leadership, benefiting from Cornell’s Ivy League reputation, research resources, and global industry connections.

10. University of Texas at Austin — Department of Textiles and Apparel (Austin, TX)

UT Austin provides a well-rounded fashion program with strong divisions in design and merchandising. Students receive rigorous training in textiles, apparel construction, trend analysis, and business strategy. The program emphasizes professional development, creativity, and practical experience. Graduates are prepared for careers in fashion design, product development, merchandising, and retail management, leveraging strong faculty mentorship, facilities, and connections to regional and national industry networks.

#	School	Location	Focus	Highlight
1	FIT – SUNY	New York, NY	Design, Merchandising, Business, Tech	Premier public college, NYC industry access
2	Parsons School of Design	New York, NY	Design	Avant-garde, conceptual, top NYC fashion connections
3	Pratt Institute	Brooklyn, NY	Design	Fine arts approach, craftsmanship, creative portfolios
4	SCAD	Savannah, GA / Atlanta, GA	Design, Merchandising	Massive resources, career placement network
5	Kent State University	Kent, OH	Merchandising, Design	Strong merchandising, global study-abroad opportunities
6	RISD	Providence, RI	Design	Conceptual, material-driven, distinct artistic vision
7	Drexel University	Philadelphia, PA	Design, Merchandising	Mandatory co-op, industry experience
8	University of Cincinnati — DAAP	Cincinnati, OH	Design	Competitive, professional, extensive co-op program
9	Cornell University — Human Centered Design	Ithaca, NY	Business, Product Development	Science and business-focused, Ivy League prestige
10	University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	Design, Merchandising	Well-rounded program, strong facilities
11	University of Delaware	Newark, DE	Product Development, Merchandising	Strong industry connections
12	Baylor University	Waco, TX	Design, Merchandising	Well-rounded, excellent facilities
13	University of North Texas	Denton, TX	Merchandising, Digital Retail	Leader in digital retail and e-commerce
14	Columbia College Chicago	Chicago, IL	Costume Design, Fashion	Strong design and business programs
15	Lasell University	Newton, MA	Fashion Communication	Focused on promotion and industry connections
16	Woodbury University	Burbank, CA	Design	Sustainability and social justice focus
17	Academy of Art University	San Francisco, CA	Design	Extensive courses, industry veteran instructors
18	Otis College of Art and Design	Los Angeles, CA	Design	Strong ties to LA apparel market
19	Arizona State University — Herberger Institute	Tempe, AZ	Design	Interdisciplinary fashion and design programs
20	UNC Greensboro	Greensboro, NC	Merchandising, Product Development	Strong regional industry ties
21	VCU — School of the Arts	Richmond, VA	Design	Public art school, strong BFA
22	Miami International University of Art & Design	Miami, FL	Design	Focused design programs
23	Syracuse University — VPA	Syracuse, NY	Design	Well-established fashion program
24	FIDM	Los Angeles, CA / San Francisco, CA	Specialized Degrees	Industry-focused, costume and niche apparel
25	University of Missouri	Columbia, MO	Textiles, Merchandising	Strong academic programs
26	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Lincoln, NE	Design, Merchandising	Comprehensive curriculum
27	University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	Apparel, Textiles	Balanced design and merchandising program
28	Buffalo State University	Buffalo, NY	Fashion, Textile Tech	Regional strength in technical training
29	Seattle Pacific University	Seattle, WA	Design, Merchandising	Applied learning with regional industry
30	Mount Mary University	Milwaukee, WI	Design, Product Development	Strong design focus
31	Stephens College	Columbia, MO	Design	Historic women’s college, creative emphasis
32	Marist College	Poughkeepsie, NY	Design	Liberal arts foundation, Florence campus
33	Indiana University	Bloomington, IN	Merchandising, Apparel	Comprehensive curriculum
34	Oklahoma State University	Stillwater, OK	Design, Merchandising	Industry-aligned program
35	University of Rhode Island	Kingston, RI	Textiles, Fashion	Technical and creative balance
36	University of Hawaii at Manoa	Honolulu, HI	Family & Consumer Sciences	Regional specialization
37	San Diego State University	San Diego, CA	Fashion	Strong design program
38	University of Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	Apparel Design	College of Design emphasis
39	University of Wisconsin-Madison	Madison, WI	Human Ecology, Fashion	Balanced design and business training
40	University of Georgia	Athens, GA	Textiles, Merchandising	Comprehensive offerings
41	University of Arizona — Norton School	Tucson, AZ	Human Ecology	Focus on apparel and design
42	Oregon State University	Corvallis, OR	Apparel Design	College of Business integration
43	Colorado State University	Fort Collins, CO	Design, Merchandising	Strong program for regional industry
44	Texas Tech University	Lubbock, TX	Design	Technical and creative integration
45	USC — Iovine and Young Academy	Los Angeles, CA	Fashion Tech	Innovation, entrepreneurship, product design
46	LIM College	New York, NY	Fashion Business	Marketing, management, merchandising focus
47	Berklee College of Music	NYC, NY	Fashion Media & Styling	Creative media integration
48	SAIC	Chicago, IL	Wearable Art	Fine arts approach to fashion
49	MassArt	Boston, MA	Design	Public art school, strong design
50	California College of the Arts (CCA)	San Francisco / Oakland, CA	Design	Interdisciplinary, conceptual approach

Closing

Selecting a fashion school depends on your career ambitions, creative interests, and preferred learning style. Whether your focus is haute couture design, fashion merchandising, apparel technology, or digital retail, these programs provide exceptional training, facilities, and industry connections. Prospective students should review curricula, evaluate internship and co-op opportunities, examine alumni success, and visit campuses when possible. With the right fit, these schools can serve as a launchpad for successful careers in the global fashion industry, from design studios to corporate leadership roles.