Fashion merchandising is a fun and creative career path that combines the exciting world of fashion with business. If you’re interested in how clothes are designed, made, sold, and marketed, then fashion merchandising might be the right choice for you! Here are the 25 best colleges for fashion merchandising in 2024. We’ve included important information like GPA, SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, requirements, professional outcomes, and academic highlights to help you make the best decision.
25 Best Colleges for Fashion Merchandising
These are the 25 best colleges for fashion merchandising in 2024. Each offers unique opportunities and strong programs to help you succeed in the exciting world of fashion. Whether you dream of working for a top fashion brand or running your own boutique, these colleges provide the education and experience you need to make your fashion dreams come true!
1. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1160
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Requirements: High school diploma, personal essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work for top fashion brands like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors.
Academic Highlights: FIT is located in New York City, which is a fashion capital. Students get hands-on experience through internships and fashion shows. The college offers courses in fashion marketing, textile development, and fashion business management. FIT also has strong industry connections, which helps students find jobs after graduation.
2. Parsons School of Design
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 35%
- Requirements: High school diploma, portfolio, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work for fashion houses like Marc Jacobs and Vogue.
Academic Highlights: Parsons is also in New York City and is known for its cutting-edge design and business programs. The school encourages creativity and innovation. Students can take classes in fashion history, retail management, and brand strategy. Parsons also offers opportunities for study abroad and internships with major fashion companies.
3. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1180
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Requirements: High school diploma, portfolio, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion marketing, buying, and product development.
Academic Highlights: SCAD has campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, and even France! The college is known for its strong art and design programs. Fashion merchandising students learn about consumer behavior, fashion forecasting, and visual merchandising. SCAD also hosts fashion shows and has a fashion museum on campus.
4. LIM College
- GPA: 3.0
- Median SAT: 1100
- Median ACT: 22
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work for fashion retailers like Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Academic Highlights: Located in New York City, LIM College focuses on the business side of fashion. Students can major in fashion merchandising, marketing, or visual studies. The college offers internships and industry projects, giving students real-world experience. LIM also has strong connections with fashion companies, which helps students with job placements.
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5. Kent State University
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1130
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Kent State is in Ohio and has a well-respected fashion school. Students study fashion theory, buying, and retail operations. The university also offers study tours to fashion capitals like New York and Paris. Kent State’s fashion school has a large network of alumni who work in the industry.
6. Drexel University
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1260
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Requirements: High school diploma, portfolio, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work for fashion brands, in merchandising, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: Drexel is located in Philadelphia and is known for its cooperative education program, where students alternate between classes and full-time jobs in their field. Fashion merchandising students learn about product development, global markets, and fashion law. The program also includes study abroad opportunities.
7. Marist College
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1150
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion buying, marketing, and product development.
Academic Highlights: Marist College is in New York and offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in fashion promotion, product development, and retailing. Marist also has a partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology, allowing students to study in New York City for a semester.
8. University of Delaware
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1220
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion marketing, merchandising, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: The University of Delaware offers a well-rounded fashion merchandising program. Students learn about consumer behavior, fashion history, and retail management. The university also has study abroad programs in places like Italy and Hong Kong, where students can learn about global fashion markets.
9. University of Georgia
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion buying, marketing, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: The University of Georgia offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in textile science, retail management, and fashion promotion. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
10. University of North Texas
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1130
- Median ACT: 23
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: The University of North Texas offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about consumer behavior, retail buying, and fashion marketing. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
11. Colorado State University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1190
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion marketing, merchandising, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: Colorado State University offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, consumer behavior, and fashion promotion. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students real-world experience in the fashion industry.
12. Texas Tech University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1140
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Texas Tech University offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about retail management, fashion marketing, and consumer behavior. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
13. University of Missouri
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1230
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion marketing, merchandising, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: The University of Missouri offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
Best Colleges for Fashion Merchandising
14. Indiana University
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1240
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Indiana University offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about retail management, fashion marketing, and consumer behavior. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
15. University of Arkansas
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1160
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: The University of Arkansas offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
16. Baylor University
- GPA: 3.6
- Median SAT: 1230
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in fashion marketing, merchandising, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: Baylor University offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about retail management, fashion marketing, and consumer behavior. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
17. University of South Carolina
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1220
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: The University of South Carolina offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
18. Ohio University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1140
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Ohio University offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about retail management, fashion marketing, and consumer behavior. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
19. Ball State University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1120
- Median ACT: 23
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Ball State University offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
20. Johnson & Wales University
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1100
- Median ACT: 22
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Johnson & Wales University offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about retail management, fashion marketing, and consumer behavior. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
21. Philadelphia University
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1150
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Philadelphia University offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
22. University of Alabama
- GPA: 3.5
- Median SAT: 1210
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: The University of Alabama offers a strong fashion merchandising program. Students learn about retail management, fashion marketing, and consumer behavior. The university also has a fashion library and hosts fashion shows, giving students the chance to showcase their work.
23. University of Rhode Island
- GPA: 3.4
- Median SAT: 1160
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: The University of Rhode Island offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
24. Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)
- GPA: 3.2
- Median SAT: 1100
- Median ACT: 22
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Requirements: High school diploma, portfolio, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work for top fashion brands, in merchandising, and retail management.
Academic Highlights: FIDM is located in Los Angeles and is known for its strong focus on fashion design and merchandising. Students take courses in fashion marketing, retail management, and visual merchandising. The school also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students real-world experience.
25. Lasell University
- GPA: 3.3
- Median SAT: 1120
- Median ACT: 23
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Requirements: High school diploma, essay, recommendation letters.
- Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in retail management, buying, and fashion marketing.
Academic Highlights: Lasell University offers a comprehensive fashion merchandising program. Students take courses in retail management, fashion promotion, and consumer behavior. The university also offers internships and study abroad opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in the fashion industry.
Fashion Merchandising Colleges – Conclusion
Choosing the right college for fashion merchandising is an important step toward a successful career in the fashion industry. Each of the 25 Fashion Merchandising Colleges offers unique programs, industry connections, and hands-on experiences that will prepare you for various roles in fashion marketing, retail management, and merchandising. With strong academic programs, internships, and study abroad opportunities, these colleges provide the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic and creative world of fashion. Whether you envision yourself working for a top fashion brand or starting your own business, these colleges will help you achieve your dreams and make your mark in the fashion industry.