If you dream of watching a model strut down the runway of Fashion Week wearing garments of your creation, enjoy a fast-paced, competitive workplace, and find yourself getting lost in the countless designs and textiles at clothing stores, garment shops, and online retailers, a degree in Fashion Design may be the perfect fit for you.

Types of Degrees

Fashion Design students typically pursue an associate degree (2 years), bachelor's degree (4 years), or master's degree. Associate degrees are usually obtained at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities while bachelor's and master's degree fashion programs are mostly within the art and design departments of colleges and universities. A bachelor's degree or associate degree with a strong design portfolio is often enough to land you an entry-level job, as design portfolios are more highly valued than diplomas in this field.

Admission Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required, with a strong academic background in art and design coursework and work experience in fashion, clothes retail, and/or design helping applicants obtain acceptance into their desired school. Each school has its own specific requirements, making it important for you to explore several options before settling on a specific school.

Career Opportunities After Earning A Fashion Design Degree

The range of career opportunities available to someone with a degree in Fashion Design include:

• Fashion Designer
• Fashion Buyer
• Costume Designer
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Post Graduate Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a Fashion Designer was $79,290 in 2023 ¹ while Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents earned a median salary of $77,180 in 2023. ²

Note that the average salary varies widely not only depending on career chosen, but on geographical location and employer. Conditions in your area may vary.

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Careers associated with these educational opportunities often require additional degrees and certifications not offered as part of the educational opportunities presented by this website.
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.