New England is home to many different fashion companies and designers, making Connecticut a great state for earning your degree in fashion design, merchandising, or marketing. Connecticut is home to five schools with different fashion degrees, including one school with a graduate program.
Tuition costs in Connecticut range from $3,192 to $25,950, with an average tuition cost of $17,378. The University of Bridgeport has the most scholarship opportunities, with an average scholarship award of $16,762. Fashion students can apply for a Portfolio Scholarship at this school, in addition to applying for other need-based and merit-based scholarships.
As a fashion school graduate, you can work in a variety of settings. Many graduates work for fashion design companies, marketing firms, or retailers. Some of the largest fashion employers in Connecticut are J. Crew Group Inc., GAP Inc., and Saks Incorporated. At 7.4%, the unemployment rate in Connecticut is slightly higher than some of its neighboring states; however, it has been steadily decreasing since July 2013 (BLS, 2013).
Your salary depends on a number of factors; the most important one is experience. While you may start on the lower end of the pay scale, your income may increase as you gain experience. Merchandise displayers earn an average salary of $29,410, while marketing specialists earn an average salary of $69,790 (BLS, 2012).