Fashion is a thriving industry encompassing various creative and business roles, and West Virginia is no exception for fashion careers. While the state may not be widely known for its fashion scene, there are opportunities for aspiring fashion designers and merchandisers to pursue their passions and build successful careers within the state.
The fashion industry in West Virginia may not be as extensive as in major fashion hubs like New York or Los Angeles. However, there are still opportunities for employment in this field. The average annual tuition and fees range from around $7,000 to $9,000 at public universities, while it can be as high as $20,000 to $35,000 per year for private institutions.
Regarding employment opportunities, West Virginia offers positions such as fashion designers, fashion merchandisers, fashion buyers, visual merchandisers, fashion stylists, and fashion marketers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in West Virginia is 26% in 2023. The median annual wage for fashion designers in West Virginia was $73,790 as of May 2020.
About Fashion Schools in West Virginia
Total Schools:3
Undergraduate Programs:2
Graduate Programs:1
Average Acceptance Rate:60%
Average Tuition Cost:$11,000
Average Loan Amount:$6,000
Average Scholarship Award:$8,000
Average Classroom Size:18 Students
Fashion Schools in West Virginia
West Virginia offers several educational and training programs for individuals interested in pursuing fashion careers.
West Virginia University (WVU)
- Location: Morgantown
- Bachelor of Science degree program in Fashion, Dress, and Merchandising.
- Average tuition: $13,000
- Large campus
- Urban setting
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
- Location: Keyser
- Associate of Arts in Fashion Merchandising program
- Tuition before aid: $17,314
- Tuition after aid: $8,295
- Medium campus
- Urban setting
Pierpont Community and Technical College
- Location: Fairmont
- Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design and Merchandising
- Tuition before aid: $17,312
- Tuition after aid: $9,780
- Large campus
- Urban setting