Since fashion is so important in California, it’s not surprising that this state offers one of the best selections of fashion schools in the country. There are 55 schools with varying types of fashion degrees, and 11 of those schools offer postgraduate degrees.
The average cost of tuition in California is $10,172, but schools like Chaffey College and Monterey Peninsula College cost just over $1,100 per semester.
Studying in California gives you the opportunity to network in the national fashion community. Membership in the California Fashion Association can help you begin networking as a student.
You can start an exciting fashion career in California after earning your degree. Major employers in this state include Dreamforge, YMI Jeans Inc., and JustFab. You may find work with retailers, marketing companies, and fashion design companies. The unemployment rate in California is 8.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, it has been decreasing since August 2013.
The salary you earn depends a lot on how much experience you have. As you gain experience and seniority, your earning potential can increase. Fashion designers in California earn an average salary of $70,490 (BLS, 2012). Merchandise displayers earn, on average, $32,430 per year. The average salary for a marketing specialist is $77,330 per year (BLS, 2012).
Many good fashion schools of California are located in the Bay Area, here is a post covering top fashion schools in Bay area.