Fashion is a dynamic domain not only for enthusiasts and professionals but for students as well. If you are exploring courses in fashion, we recommend a fashion merchandising degree. Embarking on a career in fashion merchandising can be an exciting and fulfilling choice if you are passionate about the industry.
This article aims to provide valuable insights into the US’s top 25 fashion merchandising schools, allowing aspiring students to make informed decisions. Before we list the best fashion merchandising schools, let’s explore why a fashion merchandising course can be a promising career path and what factors to consider before pursuing such a course.
To begin, it’s crucial to understand the vast array of opportunities available in the fashion merchandising industry. This section will discuss the job prospects, salary ranges, and career paths graduates can pursue. Whether you aspire to become a fashion buyer, visual merchandiser, retail manager, or product developer, the industry offers a diverse range of options for passionate individuals.
Is a degree in fashion merchandising right for you?
A fashion merchandising degree is best suited for individuals with a keen interest in fashion and business. If you want to join the fashion industry but aspire more for the business and marketing aspects over design or production, then merchandising is the degree for you. The degree program provides students with a solid foundation in fashion industry knowledge, consumer behavior, retail management, marketing strategies, and trend analysis.
By balancing creativity and analytical thinking, fashion merchandising colleges allow students to explore the intersection of fashion, retail, and marketing. If you enjoy analyzing fashion trends, understanding consumer preferences, and applying business strategies in a retail or fashion-related setting, go ahead with a fashion merchandising degree.
Top 25 Fashion Merchandising Schools
Here is a curated list of the top 25 fashion merchandising schools in the US that offer major fashion merchandising courses. Let’s take a comprehensive overview of the academic offerings of each school.
School Location: New York
FIT is a renowned institution dedicated to the business of fashion. Its School of Business and Technology offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Business Management. The program covers various aspects of fashion merchandising, including product development, retail management, marketing, and buying. Tuition costs for New York residents start at approximately $6,800 annually, while out-of-state residents pay around $17,200 annually.
School Location: New York
Parsons is part of The New School, offering several fashion programs. Its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program in Strategic Design and Management focuses on the business side of the fashion industry, including fashion marketing and merchandising. Tuition fees at Parsons for a fashion merchandising degree are approximately $27,000 per semester.
School Location: New York
LIM College specializes in programs related to the business of fashion. It offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the industry and emphasizes real-world experience. Tuition fees at LIM College are approximately $25,500 per semester.
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
The University of Cincinnati offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising. The program emphasizes fashion marketing, retail management, and visual merchandising. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $11,000 annually, while out-of-state students pay around $26,334 annually.
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Indiana University’s School of Art, Architecture + Design offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Merchandising program. It covers fashion buying, retail management, fashion marketing, and trend forecasting. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $10,948 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $36,512 per year.
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
The University of Minnesota’s College of Design offers a Bachelor of Science in Retail Merchandising program. It covers fashion buying, retail management, consumer behavior, and visual merchandising. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $15,027 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $33,325 per year.
Location: Los Angeles, California
FIDM offers various fashion-focused programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Business Management emphasizing Merchandise Product Development. It is one of the best fashion merchandising schools in the US. The program covers merchandise planning, product development, trend analysis, and retail management. Tuition fees at FIDM are approximately $31,500 per year.
Location: Savannah, Georgia
SCAD’s School of Fashion offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Marketing and Management. The program focuses on marketing strategies, retail management, consumer behavior, and fashion forecasting. Tuition fees at SCAD are approximately $38,475 per year.
School Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia University offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Management program. It covers retail management, fashion marketing, buying, and hands-on experience through internships. Tuition fees at Philadelphia University are approximately $41,850 per year.
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Stephens College offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Marketing and Management program. It focuses on fashion retailing, marketing strategies, trend analysis, and product development. Tuition fees at Stephens College are approximately $33,400 per year.
School Location: Kent, Ohio
Kent State University’s Fashion School offers an effective fashion merchandising program. It focuses on fashion retailing, trend analysis, product development, and marketing strategies. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $10,600 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $19,000 per year.
School Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising program. It combines coursework in fashion business, marketing, buying, and merchandising with hands-on experience through co-op opportunities. Tuition fees for a fashion merchandising major are approximately $54,516 per year.
School Location: Long Beach, California
California State University, Long Beach, offers a Bachelor of Science in fashion design and merchandising program. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry, including product development, retail buying, visual merchandising, and fashion marketing. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $6,834 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $18,714 per year.
School Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
Marist College offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising program. The curriculum covers fashion marketing, retail buying, visual merchandising, and product development. Tuition fees at Marist College are approximately $43,670 per year.
School Location: San Francisco, California
The Academy of Art University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program in Fashion Merchandising. The curriculum covers visual merchandising, product development, retail buying, and global sourcing. Tuition fees at the Academy of Art University are approximately $26,000 per semester.
School Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island offers a Bachelor of Science in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design program. Its fashion merchandising degree covers fashion marketing, retail management, product development, and consumer behavior. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $14,138 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $31,686 per year.
School Location: Denton, Texas
The University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Science in Merchandising program with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising. It covers fashion promotion, retail buying, merchandise planning, and trend forecasting. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $11,044 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $23,654 yearly.
School Location: Ames, Iowa
Iowa State University’s College of Human Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Merchandising, and Fashion Design program like other fashion merchandising colleges. Its coursework includes fashion marketing, retail management, consumer behavior, and fashion product development. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $9,320 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $23,316 per year.
School Location: Newark, Delaware
The University of Delaware offers a fashion merchandising degree program. It covers fashion buying, retail management, fashion marketing, and global sourcing. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $14,280 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $36,090 per year.
School Location: Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts offers bachelor’s programs in fashion merchandising. It covers fashion buying, trend forecasting, retail management, and fashion marketing. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $14,710 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $36,572 per year.
School Location: Waco, Texas
Baylor University offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Merchandising program. It covers fashion promotion, retail buying, fashion marketing, and visual merchandising. It is one of the private fashion merchandising schools, so its tuition fee is higher at approximately $50,336 per year.
School Location: Columbia, Missouri
The University of Missouri’s Department of Textile and Apparel Management offers a Bachelor of Science in Textile and Apparel Management with an emphasis on Merchandising. The program covers fashion marketing, retail management, consumer behavior, and product development. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $10,477 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $28,348 per year.
School Location: Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising program. It covers fashion buying, trend analysis, retail management, and fashion marketing. Tuition fees for in-state students’ fashion design and merchandising programs start at approximately $12,080 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $31,120 per year.
School Location: Tucson, Arizona
The University of Arizona’s Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Retailing and Consumer Sciences program with a concentration in Fashion Retailing. It covers fashion merchandising, retail management, visual merchandising, and consumer behavior. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $12,716 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $38,841 per year.
School Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Florida State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Retail Merchandising and Product Development program. It covers fashion marketing, retail buying, trend forecasting, and visual merchandising. Tuition fees for in-state students start at approximately $5,656 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $18,786 yearly.
While Fashion Schools USA has picked the top US schools known for their fashion merchandising programs, you should visit the respective college websites or contact them directly for accurate course details and fee structures.
How to Make the Choice for a Fashion Merchandising Course?
Choosing the right fashion merchandising course is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. From your end goals to accreditation, there are several factors to consider. Let’s dive deeper into the elements you must consider to make an informed choice for the fashion merchandising schools that align with your career goals and aspirations.
- Define Your Goals and Interests
Consider your career aspirations and personal interests within the fashion merchandising field. Do you have a specific area of focus, such as retail management, visual merchandising, or fashion buying? Understanding your goals and interests will help you narrow your options and choose a college that aligns with your desired specialization.
- Research Accredited Institutions
Ensure that recognized accrediting bodies accredit the colleges you consider. Accreditation ensures that the institution meets certain quality standards and that employers in the industry will respect your degree.
- Explore Curriculum and Courses
Review the curriculum and course offerings of each college you are considering. Look for programs that offer a comprehensive range of courses related to fashion merchandising, including marketing, retail management, fashion buying, trend analysis, visual merchandising, and consumer behavior. Ensure that the curriculum covers the areas you are most interested in pursuing.
- Evaluate Faculty Expertise and Industry Connections
Look into the qualifications and expertise of the faculty members teaching in the fashion merchandising program. Check if they have relevant industry experience or research expertise. Additionally, consider whether the college has connections with fashion industry professionals, brands, or organizations that can provide networking opportunities, internships, or guest lectures.
- Research Internship and Industry Placement Opportunities
Internships play a vital role in gaining practical experience and building industry connections. Inquire about the college’s internship programs and the opportunities available to students. Consider the college’s proximity to fashion industry hubs, as it may provide easier access to internships and job opportunities.
- Consider Location and Campus Culture
Think about the location of the college and the campus culture that aligns with your preferences. Are you more comfortable in a bustling urban or quiet suburban setting? Consider how the location may impact internship opportunities, networking events, and exposure to the fashion industry.
- Explore Alumni Success and Job Placement Rates
Research the success of the college’s alumni in the fashion merchandising field. Look for information on job placement rates, notable alumni, and the success stories of graduates. This can give you an indication of the college’s reputation and the potential outcomes for your career.
- Consider Financial Aid and Scholarships:
Research each college’s financial aid options, scholarships, and grants. Evaluate the program’s affordability and consider your financial situation and long-term goals when deciding.
Conclusion
A fashion merchandising course is an ideal entry point in the dynamic and ever-evolving fashion industry. We handpicked the best 25 fashion merchandising schools in the US based on the programs offered, industry interaction, faculty, fee, and more.
Success as a fashion professional requires not only dedication and creativity, but also a passion for fashion and business. Choose a fashion merchandising college that resonates with your aspirations, and let your career flourish.
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