Study Fashion in USA. List of 12 best institutions, 2024 prices, rankings

Education in the United States of America is considered to be one of the best in the world: there are  colleges and universities that annually fall into the international rankings of the best and most prestigious educational institutions not only in the country, but also among international higher schools. To achieve such high results, local institutions have objective reasons: a wide range of specialties, excellent technical equipment, a qualified and strong staff of teachers and more.

American universities are widely known for their educational programs in the field of art and design. It was from the educational institutions of this country that world-famous artists came out - Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock. It is not surprising that today the American unofficial capital is one of the centers not only of world art, but also of the fashion industry: New York Fashion Week is one of the most important events in the world of high fashion.

In the the United States there are several universities that are included in the list of the top and most prestigious educational institutions of the fashion industry, not only nationwide, but around the world.

1. New School of Design Parsons, Saint Martins and Parsons The New School For Design (New York)

The educational institution offers popular programs as “Costume Design”, “Fashion Research”, “Fashion Marketing”, etc. Parsons is on the list of the most respected fashion schools around the world. Many celebrities of the fashion industry came out of the university, and some of them are teching there today - they give lectures and conduct practical classes.

The annual cost of studying is from $ 25,000 to $ 36,000.

2. Technological Institute of Fashion, Fashion Institute of Technology - FIT (New York)

The university was founded in 1994 by a small group of fashion experts. Its main task was to increase the number of competent personnel in the field, and today the Technological Institute of Fashion is among the five best higher schools around the world. Here young people from different countries can get education (bachelor and master) in such specialties as “Costume Designer”, “Business Marketing”, “Illustration”, “Textile” and others.

Tuition fees for one semester - from $ 6775 for foreign students.

3. LIM College

This privately owned university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of fashion industry with undergraduate and graduate programs. LIM College has experienced teachers working with students, many of whom are industry professionals: this gives students an opportunity to gain not only skills for working in this business, but also make useful contacts and acquaintances that can directly contribute to the rapid development of a career. Every year, graduates of higher education get jobs in more than 500 companies associated with the fashion world.

The annual cost of studying is from $ 9000 (undergraduate).

4. Istituto Marangoni Miami

In Miami, there is one of the campuses of one of the most prestigious and respected fashion universities in the world - Istituto Marangoni. The branch appeared in the United States in 2018: the campus was located in the most dynamic quarter of Miami. It is quite conveniently located: within walking distance there are more than a hundred art galleries, various showrooms, studios of the architectural or creative direction, antique shops and so on. The Marangoni Institute has always called its task the integration of industrial experience and academic direction, along with creativity and understanding of what will be in demand on the fashion industry market. The school invites only practicing professionals in their curriculum, among whom are designers, photographers, stylists, leaders of the business industry and large companies - Armani, Versace, Gucci, Dolce and not only.

The cost of studying is from $ 10,000 per year.

5. Academy of Art University (San Francisco)

The university was founded in 1929 by the famous artist and creative director of Sunset Magazine, Richard Stevens. Today, the university has the status of the largest private school in America - at the same time up to 12.000 students can receive education here. The university campus is located in the central part of San Francisco and includes more than 20 buildings with various functionalities: educational buildings, student residences, own galleries and various creative studios. Practicing designers and artists with impressive professional experience work with students at the university.

Annual tuition fees are from $ 20,000 (undergraduate, graduate).

Asmission conditions to undergraduate programs at American universities have a number of requirements, even for art universities. The minimum conditions for admission are as follows:

• SAT / ACT Test Results
• Certificate of English proficiency 
• Certificate of secondary education
• Teacher Recommendations
• Motivation letter
• Creative portfolio.

SMAPSE experts draw your attention to the the fact that if the subjects related to art, fashion or design were not included in the school curriculum, then the applicant will need to take specialized courses or individual lessons in the chosen direction.

For admission to Master's programs, a few more are added to the listed criteria:

• Age from 21 years
• Diploma of first higher education (Bachelor's degree)
• Instead of a diploma, a student may have professional experience in the fashion industry from 1 to 3 three years.