Top 10 Fashion Schools: Should You Attend?

As you might expect, you'll find a number of top 10 fashion colleges in the industry meccas of New York City and California. Many of these are specifically art and design schools, such as Pratt Institute, Parsons New School for Design, and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York; or, in California, Otis College of Art and Design, Academy of Art University, California College of the Arts, and Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

Located a short distance away from the New York City fashion world are other reputable design schools such as the Rhode Island School of Design, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Maryland Institute College of Art.

However, not all of the top 10 fashion schools are private art colleges. Some universities also offer highly-ranked programs in fashion design, such as the University of California at Los Angeles and New York University. Also, you don't necessarily have to relocate to the coast to attend a top 10 fashion school. Midwest residents will find excellent fashion design programs at Kent State University, the Cleveland Institute of Art and the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, as well as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University in Illinois. Meanwhile, the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia is considered not just one of the top 10 fashion colleges, but one of the top-ranked colleges in the arts, period.

When you're trying to pick a college, don't get paralyzed thinking you have to attend one of the top 10 fashion schools. Besides college rankings, you need to consider your own needs, career goals and optimal learning environment. Talk to some current students or recent graduates to find out what a program is like, or schedule a visit to the college to speak to faculty members.

Location: Location is important when you're considering where to pursue your degree, but not necessarily because the college is in New York or California. Other metropolitan areas may offer local fashion industry opportunities, or have connections with the fashion world that enable you to meet top designers and apply for entry-level jobs and internships. The Savannah College of Art and Design, for instance, regularly hosts celebrity visitors such as Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs.

Program: What's the specific program like at the school you're considering? The top 10 fashion colleges might offer a wider curriculum than other schools, but a lesser-known college with a strong program in your area of interest can prepare you just as well for your fashion career. Also, consider other characteristics of the program, such as whether the faculty are respected in their fields, whether courses are offered that fit your schedule, and whether the school offers the specific degree you would like to attain. Lastly, you'll want the school to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or a regional accreditation agency.

Cost: Another critical factor in choosing a school is cost. If you can't afford the program outright, a good set of financial aid offerings may still make it possible to attend. Properly accredited institutions will enable you to take advantage of a wider range of financial aid options, including federal student aid, regardless of whether they are in the top 10 fashion schools.