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Colleges With Excellent Programs in Fashion Design

Top Colleges for Fashion Design Majors

Looking to study fashion in college? Whether you dream of sketching haute couture or developing sustainable apparel lines, finding the right fashion design college is key. This guide to colleges with excellent programs in fashion design highlights top fashion design schools across the country—each offering rich curricula, hands-on studios, and pathways to industry.

How to choose a fashion design program: start by evaluating curriculum depth (history of fashion, textile science, patternmaking, digital design tools), studio facilities (sewing labs, computer-aided design workstations), and faculty credentials. Look for schools with strong industry ties—internship pipelines at major brands, student-run runway shows, or sponsored design competitions. Accreditation from bodies like NASAD ensures rigorous standards, while study-abroad options in fashion capitals (Milan, Paris, Tokyo) can accelerate global exposure.

Prospective students often ask “where to study fashion design?” On-campus environments vary: urban campuses in New York or Los Angeles immerse you in vibrant creative communities, while smaller art-focused colleges offer close mentoring and smaller class sizes. Consider colleges with fashion design majors that balance theory and practice—where you’ll build a standout portfolio, collaborate on real briefs, and master professional workflows.

Finally, if you’re wondering “how to become a fashion designer,” this list shows you the first step: enroll in a program that fosters both creative vision and technical mastery. From foundational sketch classes to advanced garment construction, these schools prepare you for roles in womenswear, menswear, accessories, or textile design. By weighing curriculum, facilities, faculty, and alumni networks, you’ll find the right fashion design school to launch your career and turn your ideas into runway-ready reality.

List produced by the Experts . Want more information on how this list was compiled? Find out more about where our Lists & Rankings come from.

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Barton College

Wilson, NC


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