In this article, we take a look at the 40 best fashion schools in the world for 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the fashion industry, you can directly go to the 10 Best Fashion Schools in the World for 2024.
The Fashion Industry - An Overview
According to a 2024 report by The Business Research Company, the global apparel market was worth $655.7 billion in 2023. From there, it is expected to grow to $918.71 billion in 2028, showcasing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The 2024 State of Fashion Report by McKinsey & Company shows that in both 2021 and 2022, the luxury sector outperformed other industry segments. In 2022, luxury fashion apparel companies contributed 36% economic profit growth within the sector. According to the company’s forecasts, the global fashion industry is expected to show a growth of 2%-4% in 2024, a major chunk of which is likely to be from the luxury segment, which is expected to grow by 3%-5%. However, experts also expressed that declining consumer savings might lead to decreased spending as customers pull back their money after going through a surge of post-pandemic shopping.
Where Does The Challenge Lie?
According to the survey McKinsey & Company conducted for its report, 62% of executives expressed geopolitical instability as the biggest threat to growth within the fashion industry. A total of 55% of executives believe that economic volatility is going to be the biggest obstacle to increased revenue, whereas 51% pin inflation as the cause. Expert opinion is also divided on where the industry is headed: 37% of survey respondents mentioned that the industry was going to stay the same, 38% thought it was going to get worse, and only 26% expressed hope that it would improve. The survey also concluded that with cost-saving tactics almost being exhausted across the industry, there was a more than 50% intent of raising prices.
Employment Outlook
Even as uncertainty within the industry grows, the employment outlook is faring well for itself. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% growth in the market for fashion designers from 2022 to 2032, which is almost the same average as most other professions in the industry. On average, there will be nearly 2,300 new openings each year in the decade. In May 2022, $76,700 was the median annual wage for fashion designers. On the other hand, employment for fashion illustrators is predicted to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032 in the broader category of craft and fine artists. On average, this segment is expected to have almost 5,500 new job openings each year. You can also check out the 12 countries that produce the best fashion designers in the world.
The Luxury of it All
Considering that luxury fashion companies have been showcasing robust growth, it’s also pertinent to note that several of them are also the top employers in the industry. According to its LinkedIn profile, LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (EPA:MC) employs at least 142,886 individuals. It is also one of the world’s biggest fashion companies, with an estimated market cap of $453.22 billion, as of March 29. LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (EPA:MC) currently has 4,262 job openings in countries all around the globe and at all levels of entry, as advertised on the company’s LinkedIn profile. On March 27, LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (EPA:MC) unveiled the trunks that would carry the medals and torches for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. This step is a part of the premium partnership that the luxury fashion company has with the Paris 2024 Games.
Hermes International SCA (EPA:RMS) is another one of the biggest names in luxury fashion. The company currently has 1,151 job openings on its LinkedIn profile. On February 9, 2024, the company announced its earnings for Q4 of 2023, showcasing a quarterly sales revenue of $3.6 billion. The revenue beat market consensus by $93.49 million, and grew by 13.44% year over year. The group reported full-year revenue of EUR 13.4 billion, or $14.42 billion. Hermes International SCA's (EPA:RMS) net profit for the year amounted to EUR 4.3 billion, or $4.63 billion, up 28% year over year. On the same day, Business of Fashion also reported that the CEO of Hermes International SCA (EPA:RMS), Axel Dumas, had said that in the coming year, Hermes International SCA (EPA:RMS) would be raising its prices by 8%-9%.
To curate this list of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024, we took a consensus approach. First, we generated a list of the world’s best fashion schools after consulting 10+ expert sources on the matter. Then, we ranked the schools according to their tuition fee in ascending order. The QS Art & Design Subject Ranking for each school, if available, has been added for further context and tie-breaking. These rankings can help readers better understand where each school stands in the international arena. Certain schools on this list do not appear on that ranking, yet several of our sources listed them as an ideal college for this field.
We sourced the tuition fee directly from each school’s website, utilizing the average annual cost for non-resident/international students in a bachelor’s program. For universities that do not offer a bachelor’s in the field of fashion, we utilized the master’s programs. Please note that these costs are exclusive of all additional charges, which may depend from student to student. Thus, the average fee is just a metric to get a general idea about how much a university would cost to attend. For international universities that did not have their cost mentioned in USD, we converted currencies according to the exchange rates on March 31, 2024. Further information for each school has also been sourced from its website.
Based on this methodology, here are the 40 best fashion schools in the world for 2024.
40 Best Fashion Schools in the World for 2024
40. College of Fashion and Design of Donghua University, Shanghai, China
Annual Tuition Fee: $5,628
QS Ranking: 151-200 Group
Comprising eight undergraduate majors, the College of Fashion and Design at Donghua University is one of the earliest Chinese universities in the fashion discipline. Here, students have the option to study from a dynamic range of angles, including fashion engineering and clothing design.
39. Accademia Costume & Moda, Rome, Italy
Annual Tuition Fee: $6,942
QS Ranking: N/A
The Accademia Costume & Moda is one of the top fashion institutes in not just Italy but also the world, having been recognized for its excellence since 1964. It has also appeared in several prestigious fashion school rankings, such as those by Business of Fashion.
38. Fashion Design Institut, Düsseldorf, Germany
Annual Tuition Fee: $7,560
QS Ranking: N/A
The FDI offers several programs in fashion, namely fashion design, fashion journalism, and fashion management. Students have the option to pursue either a three-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in any of these subjects. Master’s degrees are available for fashion design, communication, and marketing.
37. Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
Annual Tuition Fee: $8,000
QS Ranking: N/A
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts opened in 1663, making it one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Europe. The four-year program in fashion consists of three years of bachelor’s education and then one year of master's training. This is one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024.
36. Koefia Academy, Rome, Italy
Annual Tuition Fee: $9,088
QS Ranking: N/A
Koefia Academy allows students to study a range of fashion courses in a variety of formats, including master’s degrees and executive courses. Students also have the option to explore tailoring and textile design as a major field of study. It is one of the best fashion universities in the world for 2024.
35. International Fashion Academy, Paris, France
Annual Tuition Fee: $10,145
QS Ranking: N/A
The IFA has campuses in Paris, Istanbul, and Shanghai, which currently host around 1,500 students. Bachelor’s programs are available in fashion design, marketing, and sustainability. Other than a master’s program in contemporary fashion design, students can also choose to pursue an MBA in fashion management with a major in apparel, luxury, or media.
34. Westminster College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries, London, UK
Annual Tuition Fee: $11,676
QS Ranking: 201-240 Group
Full-time bachelor’s students at the University of Westminster have the option to pursue fashion design, fashion business management, fashion marketing, and fashion photography. In contrast, part-time students can opt for fashion photography only. This is one of the best fashion schools in the world right now.
33. University of Borås: The Swedish School of Textiles, Borås, Sweden
Annual Tuition Fee: $12,932
QS Ranking: N/A
The Swedish School of Textiles is the only institution in the country that can grant fashion and textile degrees at all levels of study, including a doctoral degree. Students have the option to enroll in a four-year bachelor’s program or a master’s program that can be completed in one or two years. The doctoral degree can be achieved in the field of artistic work.
32. Aalto University: School of Arts, Design & Architecture, Helsinki, Finland
Annual Tuition Fee: $12,960
QS Ranking: 6
At the Department of Design at Aalto University, students have the option to pursue their fashion degree in English, Finnish, or Swedish. The department also offers a range of research groups in fields such as sustainable design, innovation in fashion, and the future of textile and fashion. It is one of the best fashion universities in the world for 2024.
31. ESMOD International, Paris, France
Annual Tuition Fee: $14,706
QS Ranking: N/A
The École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode, or ESMOD, is a private fashion school in Paris which was established in 1841. It is one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024, offering degrees in both fashion design and fashion business. The institution has several other campuses within France, such as in Lyon and Rennes, and also around the globe in cities such as Beijing, Istanbul, Oslo, and Tokyo.
30. Design School Kolding, Kolding, Denmark
Annual Tuition Fee: $15,120
QS Ranking: 51-100 Group
The Design School Kolding offers a three-year bachelor’s degree, in which students can choose to study accessory design, communication design, fashion design, industrial design, and textile design. The master’s degree offers the same subject areas, along with the option to pick one of three focus areas: social design, sustainability and design, and play and design.
29. Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, New York City, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $15,870
QS Ranking: 101-150 Group
The Fashion Institute of Technology is a part of the State University of New York and is one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024. The School of Art and Design with the Institute offers 17 majors to prospective students looking to make a career in the field of design.
28. Domus Academy, Milan, Italy
Annual Tuition Fee: $17,172
QS Ranking: 101-150 Group
Founded in 1982, Domus Academy is a private school offering only post-graduate and professional courses in design management, fashion design, and industrial design. Students can also opt for cross-disciplinary programs like fashion management and visual merchandising.
27. Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences: Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Annual Tuition Fee: $18,348
QS Ranking: N/A
According to its website, AMFI is the largest institute of fashion design in the Netherlands, with over 100 fashion experts onboard who coach over 1,200 students a year. Students can pick one of three specializations: Fashion & Branding, Fashion & Business and Development, and Fashion & Design.
26. University of South Wales: Cardiff and Vale College, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Annual Tuition Fee: $18,875
QS Ranking: N/A
The fashion design course is offered at the City Center campus of Cardiff and Vale College, which is one of the world’s best fashion schools for 2024. Students need to have an art-based GCSE in order to make it to the course.
25. Paris College of Art, Paris, France
Annual Tuition Fee: $19,373
QS Ranking: N/A
Paris is regarded as one of the world's fashion capitals, which is why so many of its fashion schools are featured on this list. The Paris College of Art is just one of the many prestigious institutions in Paris offering world-renowned degrees in fashion design.
24. Kingston School of Art, London, UK
Annual Tuition Fee: $19,859
QS Ranking: 51-100 Group
In September 2023, Kingston University was awarded the TEF Gold Rating. The award was a commemoration of the university’s high-standard teaching and high-quality student outcomes. This is why the Kingston School of Art is one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024.
23. University of Minnesota: College of Design, Minnesota, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $20,662
QS Ranking: N/A
At the College of Design at the University of Minnesota, fashion-interested students have the option to pick an undergraduate degree in apparel design, fashion studies, or retail merchandising. A graduate program in apparel studies is also available. It is one of the best fashion universities in the world for 2024.
22. Kent State University: College of the Arts, Ohio, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $22,144
QS Ranking: N/A
Within the College of the Arts at Kent State University is the School of Fashion, which has one of the country’s top-rated graduate programs in fashion. The school celebrated its 40th anniversary in the year 2023.
21. Polimoda, Florence, Italy
Annual Tuition Fee: $22,722
QS Ranking: N/A
Polimoda, in Florence, Italy, is one of the world’s most prestigious fashion schools and has an internationally renowned image. In addition to a fashion design degree, students have the option to pursue a diverse range of dynamic and unique bachelor’s degrees, such as atelier design, fashion art direction, fashion styling, and digital styling for fashion.
20. Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester School of Art, Manchester, UK
Annual Tuition Fee: $23,353
QS Ranking: 51-100 Group
The Manchester School of Art was the second art school to be established in the United Kingdom. It was originally known as the Manchester School of Design but was later renamed to its current title.
19. Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan, Italy
Annual Tuition Fee: $23,858
QS Ranking: 101-150 Group
The Istituto Europeo di Design has several campuses around Italy in cities such as Milan, Florence, Rome, Turin, and Cagliari. It also has other locations in foreign cities such as Barcelona and Madrid. The IED is one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024.
18. Stephens College: School of Design, Missouri, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $25,800
QS Ranking: N/A
The School of Design at Stephen’s College offers four fashion-related bachelor’s degrees: fashion communication, apparel studies, fashion design & product development, and fashion marketing & management.
17. Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts, Cambridge, UK
Annual Tuition Fee: $26,501
QS Ranking: N/A
The Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts is one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2024. In addition to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fashion, students also have the option to enroll in an extended diploma for art and design. The college also has two other campuses in London and Boston.
16. Institut Francais de la Mode, Paris, France
Annual Tuition Fee: $28,024
QS Ranking: N/A
The IFM started off in 1927 as the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and later went through a name change. Known as the French Fashion Institute today, the school offers several dynamic and unique programs that fashion-interested students can pursue.
Also known as the School of Fashion in Milan, the institute offers courses in fashion management, fashion design, fashion e-commerce, fashion innovation, and several others. Students can also study professional niche degrees that would help them carve out a specific career for themselves, such as the Global Master for Luxury Business Professionals.
14. LIM College, New York City, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $31,090
QS Ranking: N/A
Located in Manhattan, LIM College is a private and prestigious fashion college that is considered one of the best around the globe. The college offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in various fashion-related courses.
13. Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $32,400
QS Ranking: N/A
The FIDM offers several unique programs not found in many other fashion schools, such as apparel industry management, film & TV costume design, menswear, and merchandise product development. This is why it’s one of the top-rated fashion schools in the whole world.
12. UC Davis: Department of Design, California, US
Annual Tuition Fee: $34,200
QS Ranking: 2
The UC Davis Department of Design is the only design-specific unit in the University of California system, and it is one of the best ones in the country. The department offers a flexible studio-based approach to fashion design, which makes it a top-rated institution to pursue the field.
11. University of the Arts, London, UK
Annual Tuition Fee: $36,065
QS Ranking: 2
The University of the Arts comprises several top-rated fashion colleges, such as Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Art, and London College of Fashion. It is one of the best fashion universities in the world for 2024.
