2025 Best Colleges for Fashion Merchandising and Management

February 25, 2025

Best Fashion Merchandising Colleges

If you’re looking for a major offering the perfect blend of your artistic talents and business interests, then you may be drawn to the field of fashion merchandising. Students studying this discipline go on to careers as purchasers, showroom salespersons, senior buyers, account executives, publicists, fashion magazine editors, quality control specialists, production managers, marketing coordinators, operations managers, product line developers, store owners, graphic designers–and this only covers some of the many exciting jobs held by individuals with an academic background in fashion merchandising.

On your way to earning a bachelor鈥檚 in fashion merchandising, you鈥檒l likely tackle coursework in marketing, textiles, merchandise planning, oral communication, management and organizational behavior, apparel and brand management, product development, the sociological aspects of clothing, and much more.

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Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Fashion Merchandising.

Best Colleges for Fashion Merchandising

Here鈥檚 a quick preview of the first ten fashion merchandising institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

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All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of fashion merchandising and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best colleges for fashion merchandising, 国产第一福利影院草草 will provide you with鈥攚hen available鈥攅ach school鈥檚:

  • Enrollment
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Acceptance Rate
  • 惭别诲颈补苍听
  • 惭别诲颈补苍听
  • Retention Rate
  • Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college鈥檚:

  • Academic Highlights 鈥 Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
  • Professional Outcomes 鈥 Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.
#1 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Fashion Institute of Technology

Fashion Institute of Technology

  • New York, NY

Academic Highlights:聽FIT stands as New York’s premier public fashion institution, offering 29 specialized undergraduate programs to students from all 50 states and 81 countries. With a focused 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the unique distinction of 100% classes enrolling fewer than 30 students, FIT ensures personalized training from industry professionals. The college’s global perspective is strengthened through 60+ international programs, preparing students to lead in the worldwide fashion industry.

Professional Outcomes: FIT’s 2023 bachelor’s graduates achieved strong industry placement, with 79% employed within six months鈥59% with companies and 27% building independent practices. Alumni shape fashion and beauty at top employers, including Ralph Lauren, L’Or茅al, and Est茅e Lauder, while nearly two-thirds work in fields directly related to their FIT degree. With 74% reporting annual earnings of $50,000+, these outcomes demonstrate FIT’s unparalleled ability to launch careers in the competitive fashion marketplace.

  • Enrollment: 7,843
  • Cost to Attend: $35,943 (In-State); $46,523 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: Test Blind
  • Median ACT: Test Blind
  • Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 83%

#2 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Cornell University

Cornell University

  • Ithaca, NY

Academic Highlights: Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 54% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Introductory courses sometimes take place in larger lecture halls, so 24% of courses have an enrollment of more than forty students. Undergraduates do give their professors generally high marks: 88% report being satisfied with the instruction they have received, 48% report completing a thesis/research project, and 53% conducted research with a faculty member. Members of Big Red can choose from study abroad opportunities in more than forty countries, and roughly one-third participate.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 63% entered the workforce, 26% entered graduate school, 2% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 4% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. Graduates earned a median salary of $85,000. Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 13% pursued JDs, 4% MDs, and 25% PhDs. Popular destinations included staying at Cornell, other Ivies, Stanford, MIT, universities in the UC system, or abroad at Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Toronto, or the University of St. Andrews

  • Enrollment: 16,051
  • Cost of Attendance: $88,140
  • Median SAT: 1520
  • Median ACT: 34
  • Acceptance Rate: 8%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 95%

#3 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah College of Art and Design

  • Savannah, GA

Academic Highlights:聽Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) stands as America’s most comprehensive arts university, offering over 40 programs across 11 specialized schools鈥攎ore degree options than any peer institution. While maintaining an accessible 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, SCAD ensures quality through its accomplished faculty (76% holding terminal degrees) and intimate class sizes (56% under 20 students). This global creative community brings together students from all 50 states and 120+ countries, united under SCAD’s mission as “The University for Creative Careers.”

Professional Outcomes: SCAD’s career outcomes are nothing short of extraordinary: 98% of graduates secure employment or continue education within ten months, with 90% working in their field of study. Alumni lead creative innovation at industry giants like Disney Imagineering, Epic Games, and Microsoft, while entrepreneurial graduates build successful independent practices. The financial returns validate SCAD’s professional outcomes鈥攅arly median earnings of $61,000 launch careers and grow to $103,400 at mid-career, proving that creative careers can yield both professional fulfillment and financial success.

  • Enrollment: 14,657
  • Cost of Attendance: $64,337
  • Median SAT: 1170
  • Median ACT: 24
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 87%
  • Graduation Rate: 70%

#4 Best Fashion Merchandising College
The New School

The New School

  • New York, NY

Academic Highlights:聽The New School delivers an exceptionally personalized education through its 45 undergraduate majors across five distinguished colleges, all supported by an outstanding 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This intimate learning environment fosters close mentorship and intellectual collaboration, amplified by 34 specialized research centers that connect academia with real-world challenges. The university’s academic excellence is further demonstrated by an impressive 30-year streak of Fulbright Awards, showcasing its commitment to producing globally engaged scholars and creative thinkers.

Professional Outcomes: New School graduates achieve remarkable career momentum, with 81% securing employment or entering graduate programs within their first post-graduation year. While many leverage their education into successful freelance careers, others launch at premier organizations, including the United Nations, NBC Universal, and JP Morgan Chase. The university’s emphasis on critical thinking and innovation yields strong financial returns 鈥 alumni earn median salaries of $70,400 early in their careers, nearly doubling to $134,500 at mid-career. These outcomes reflect The New School’s unique ability to prepare graduates for leadership across creative industries, global organizations, and the knowledge economy.

  • Enrollment: 6,841
  • Cost of Attendance: $90,400
  • Median SAT: Test Blind
  • Median ACT: Test Blind
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 71%

#5 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Drexel University

Drexel University

  • Philadelphia, PA

Academic Highlights: There are over 100 undergraduate majors to choose from at Drexel.聽 The university offers a reasonable 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with commensurately reasonable class sizes. Fifty-one percent of sections contain 19 or fewer students, and just 9% of sections contain 50 or more. Drexel students are encouraged to begin seeking undergraduate research opportunities 鈥渁s early as the freshman year.鈥 An array of research-oriented co-ops exist at local hospitals, museums, and pharmaceutical companies as well. With the emphasis on co-op education, it can be difficult to carve out time to study abroad while at Drexel. In a typical year, roughly 900 students manage to study internationally at one of 60 locations. Co-ops in foreign countries are another way to access the benefits of this type of experience.

Professional Outcomes: One year after graduating, 97% of Dragons have arrived at their next destination; 94% of full-time graduates were satisfied with their position and 87% were working in professions related to their field of study. The largest employers of Drexel alumni are Children’s Hospital of Philadephia, Penn Medicine, Comcast, Lockheed Martin, and Vanguard. The average salary for Drexel grads with a full-time job was $68,650.

  • Enrollment: 13,589
  • Cost of Attendance: $81,413
  • Median SAT: 1330
  • Median ACT: 30
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 77%

#6 Best Fashion Merchandising College
The Ohio State University 鈥 Columbus

The Ohio State University 鈥 Columbus

  • Columbus, OH

Academic Highlights: There are 250+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. A 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to fairly large classes as only 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, so expect a fair number of courses in a large lecture hall setting. Still, aggressive students can find opportunities to work closely with faculty. The Office of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry helps approximately 600 students per year participate in undergraduate research forums. All told, approximately 20% of students gain research experience. Last year, nearly 1,800 undergraduates elected to study abroad in one of 350+ short- and long-term programs spread across 70 countries; OSU has the third-highest study abroad enrollment numbers in the Big 10.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 64% of Class of 2023 graduates entered the world of employment while 14% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.聽 Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation鈥檚 leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, and more than 500 work for Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU鈥檚 own programs.

  • Enrollment: 45,728
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,231 (In-State); $56,737 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1400
  • Median ACT: 31
  • Acceptance Rate: 51%
  • Retention Rate: 94%
  • Graduation Rate: 88%

#7 Best Fashion Merchandising College
North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University

  • Raleigh, NC

Academic Highlights: NC State offers more than 100 majors and 120 minors. Thanks to a reasonable 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you won鈥檛 exclusively have classes in enormous lecture halls. Rather, NC State offers its undergraduates a mix of experiences with 63% of sections enrolling 29 or fewer students and 18% enrolling 50 or more. The Office of Undergraduate Research works diligently to connect star students to faculty research projects, which leads to nearly 500 student presentations at the spring poster sessions alone. In 2024, 28 students received invitations to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

Professional Outcomes: Forty-four percent of students graduating in 2023 had already accepted full-time jobs before exiting; 30% were heading to graduate/professional school. Members of that class reported an average starting salary of $65,589 (with a slightly higher median). Including all graduating years, the companies employing the largest number of alumni are Cisco, SAS, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Lenovo, Apple, Meta, and NVIDIA. Many recent grads also work for the university itself.

  • Enrollment: 27,323
  • Cost of Attendance: $26,604 (In-State); $49,476 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1380
  • Median ACT: 30
  • Acceptance Rate: 40%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%

#8 Best Fashion Merchandising College
University of Georgia

University of Georgia

  • Athens, GA

Academic Highlights: UGA boasts seventeen distinct colleges and schools that offer 125+ majors. 49% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students compared with 12% of sections that enroll 50 or more. No matter your major, UGA encourages you to conduct research with a member of the school鈥檚 faculty. The Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) awards grants to 500 students per year, and in 2024, a robust 620+ students presented at the CURO Symposium. Meanwhile, the Office of Global Engagement helps 3,000 students annually find which of the 100+ study abroad programs (many of which are led by UGA faculty) is right for them

Professional Outcomes: 95% of the Class of 2023 was employed or continuing their education six months after graduation. Popular employers include Accenture, the CDC, Deloitte, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, PwC, and Bank of America. Salaries vary between colleges; however, the median hovers around 60k. In 2023, 23% of graduates enrolled directly into a graduate/professional degree program, with the most commonly attended schools including Duke, Emory, Georgetown, UNC Chapel Hill, and Vanderbilt.

  • Enrollment: 31,514
  • Cost of Attendance: $28,106 (In-State); $47,146 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1270
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 37%
  • Retention Rate: 95%
  • Graduation Rate: 87%

#9 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Kent State University

Kent State University

  • Kent, OH

Academic Highlights: Kent State University offers students one of the most comprehensive academic catalogs in the region with 375+ undergraduate programs across 11 colleges. While maintaining an accessible 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the university delivers surprisingly personalized attention鈥57% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. Global learning thrives through 200+ education-abroad programs in 60 countries, while the nationally recognized Honors College provides elite opportunities for high-achieving students, including consistent success with prestigious Portz Scholar Awards.

Professional Outcomes: Kent State graduates achieve remarkable career success, with 93% employed or in graduate school within one year. The university serves as a vital talent pipeline for Northeast Ohio, with alumni leading at the Cleveland Clinic, Sherwin-Williams, and Huntington National Bank, while also placing graduates at global corporations like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase. Most alumni choose to build their careers in Greater Cleveland, demonstrating Kent State’s powerful role in developing the region’s professional workforce and economy.

  • Enrollment: 20,485
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,818 (In-State); $41,288 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1110
  • Median ACT: 21
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%

#10 Best Fashion Merchandising College
University of Delaware

University of Delaware

  • Newark, DE

Academic Highlights: The University of Delaware offers over 90 bachelor’s degree programs. Its student-to-faculty ratio is聽only 12:1, an excellent figure for a public institution. Blue Hens do find themselves in an occasional larger lecture hall as 18% of sections enroll 50+ students, but 60% of all courses enroll fewer than 30 students. Those who are ambitious and aggressive can unearth research opportunities at U of D; 700 students are actively involved in faculty-mentored research. The university has the oldest study abroad program in the nation. At over 100 years old, the program entices more than 30% of undergraduates to spend a semester in one of 40 foreign countries.

Professional Outcomes: 94% of Class of 2023 grads quickly found their next destination. 65% were employed, with 71% taking jobs at for-profit companies, 16% at nonprofits, 8% in K-12 education, and 5% with a government entity. The greatest number of newly minted alums were hired by JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG, EY, ChristianaCare, and PwC. The median starting salary for this cohort was $62,520. 29% immediately pursued an advanced degree, with 68% entering master鈥檚 programs, 19% entering a professional program, and 6% beginning a PhD.

  • Enrollment: 19,772
  • Cost of Attendance: $33,718 (In-State); $57,358 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1290
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 81%

#11 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Indiana University

Indiana University

  • Bloomington, IL

Academic Highlights: IU offers 200+ majors The university鈥檚 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio is strong for a school of Indiana鈥檚 size, and it does make an effort to keep undergraduate classes on the small side. While there are a number of introductory courses that transpire in giant lecture halls, 35% of all sections contain no more than 19 students. Experiential learning opportunities are available to those who seize them; over one-quarter of arts and sciences students completed research with a faculty member. On the study abroad front, roughly the same percentage of A&S graduates spent a semester in a foreign country. In total, the school offers 380 programs in 70 countries and 20 languages.

Professional Outcomes: Class of 2023 grads reached their next employment or graduate school destination at a 92% rate within six months of receiving their degrees. The median starting salary for IU grads ranged between $54,000 and $60,000. Among the largest employers of Hoosier alumni are local pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, EY, Amazon, PwC, Salesforce, Deloitte, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Accenture, and Google. Indianapolis, Chicago, Bloomington, and New York City are the locales where you can find the greatest concentration of Indiana graduates.

  • Enrollment: 36,833
  • Cost of Attendance: $28,900 (In-State); $57,592 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1280
  • Median ACT: 30
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 81%

#12 Best Fashion Merchandising College
University of Minnesota鈥揟win Cities

University of Minnesota鈥揟win Cities

  • Minneapolis, MN

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio is deployed effectively so that 65% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. No matter your field of study, you can utilize UM鈥檚 well-maintained database of upcoming faculty research projects as a way to connect directly with the professor of your choice; more than 2,000 undergraduates participate in a research or creative project every year. An outstanding 30% of UMTC students study abroad during their academic career with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: Over 1000 alumni work at Target, Medtronic, 3M, and U.S. Bank; Amazon, Google, Cargill, and Microsoft employ 500+ UMN graduates each. The average starting salary across all majors is approximately 60k and recent employers include Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Abbott, IBM, EcoLab, Boston Scientific, Wells Fargo, Google, Apple, and Microsoft and Epic. With 130 graduate programs, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

  • Enrollment: 39,556
  • Cost of Attendance: $32,866 (In-State); $52,780 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1400
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%

#13 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Auburn University

Auburn University

  • Auburn, AL

Academic Highlights: All undergraduates must complete Auburn鈥檚 core curriculum, the purpose of which is to 鈥渇oster the knowledge, skills, and perspectives that are the hallmarks of an Auburn graduate.鈥 This extensive undertaking includes English composition, humanities (including mandatory literature and fine arts), science (including lab), mathematics, and social sciences. Motivated students take advantage of the Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. About 20% of Auburn students study abroad, and over 130 programs are offered on every continent

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 58% of the Class of 2023 were employed full-time and 22% had entered graduate programs. 57% were pursuing master鈥檚 degrees, 28% professional degrees, and 5% doctorates. In 2023, the average starting salary was $59,216. Alumni pursuing further education can be found at institutions such as Samford University, Belmont University, and the University of Georgia.

  • Enrollment: 26,874
  • Cost of Attendance: $35,298 (in-state); $56,706 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1310
  • Median ACT: 28
  • Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 79%

#14 Best Fashion Merchandising College
University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia

  • Columbia, MO

Academic Highlights: Mizzou offers students one of the most comprehensive public university experiences with 97 undergraduate majors and 300+ total degree programs across 10 schools and colleges. The university combines large-research-university resources with surprising intimacy鈥43% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students (12% with single-digit sections)鈥攕upported by a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Early research thrives through initiatives like the Summer Research Exposure Program for underclassmen, while global perspectives expand via study abroad programs in 50+ countries. This dynamic learning environment serves a diverse community representing all 50 states and 100+ countries.

Professional Outcomes:聽Mizzou graduates achieve strong career momentum, with 64% employed and 19% pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation. The university serves as Missouri’s leading educator and employer, with alumni contributing significantly to University of Missouri Health Care (the state’s largest hospital system), Columbia Public Schools, and global enterprises like Boeing and PwC. Most graduates continuing their education choose Mizzou’s own highly-ranked graduate programs or other Missouri institutions, demonstrating the university’s dual role as both the state’s premier talent pipeline and a springboard to national career opportunities.

  • Enrollment: 23,613
  • Cost of Attendance: $32,272 (In-State); $52,480 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1230
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%

#15 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Marist College

Marist College

  • Poughkeepsie, NY

Academic Highlights: Marist offers 47 distinct bachelor鈥檚 programs but is ultimately a true liberal arts institution that requires its undergrads to complete a core curriculum. Marist has a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio鈥攆ew sections are single-digit seminars or large lectures but 53% of sections are under 20 students. On the less-than-ideal side, the majority of Marist鈥檚 professors are adjuncts. On the plus side, undergrads enjoy the real-world knowledge brought by those non-tenure-track professors, and few complain about availability outside the classroom. Marist is supportive of undergraduate research, particularly in the hard sciences where completion of a research project is often a graduation requirement. Marist sees 50% of its students study abroad as part of the college鈥檚 robust international program that is rated among the best in the country.

Professional Outcomes: Red Foxes strutting across the graduation stage from 2018-2022 went on to find employment or a graduate school home at a terrific 95% rate by the time they filled out their first-destination survey. Major employers of Marist alums include IBM, which presently employs over 500 individuals, as well as JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Amazon, Citi, Deloitte, Google, Goldman Sachs, and NBC Universal Media. Turning to grad school results, recent students attended a wide range of institutions including GA Tech, the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, MIT, and Wake Forest.

  • Enrollment: 5,545
  • Cost of Attendance: $68,410
  • Median SAT: 1280
  • Median ACT: 28
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 80%

#16 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Florida State University

Florida State University

  • Tallahassee, FL

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Undergraduate research is taken advantage of by one-quarter of students, and the school plans to greatly expand such offerings in the coming years. An abundance of study abroad choices include special summer programs in Panama, Florence, London, and Valencia, Spain. FSU has 60 academic programs available in 20 locations throughout the world; 2,500+ students per year participate.

Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. Thirty percent of seniors found employment through Career Center services at FSU. Employers hiring the greatest number of FSU alumni include Apple, Northrop Grumman, EY, General Motors, and Deloitte. Roughly one-third of recent Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 84% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance.聽Geographically, the greatest number of alumni remain in Florida but large numbers also relocate to Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, New York, and California.

  • Enrollment: 32,217
  • Cost of Attendance: $25,952 (In-State); $39,082 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1310
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 25%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 83%

#17 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University

  • Philadelphia, PA

Academic Highlights: Thomas Jefferson University provides a career-focused education through its 10 colleges and 3 schools, supported by an excellent 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio that ensures 55% of classes maintain fewer than 20 students. With access to 32 hospital campuses and multiple research centers, students gain unparalleled hands-on experience in various fields. Global perspectives are cultivated through 45+ study abroad programs across 35 countries, preparing graduates to lead in an interconnected professional landscape.

Professional Outcomes: Jefferson’s Class of 2024 achieved impressive early outcomes, with 52% securing employment and 43% continuing to graduate programs immediately after commencement. Alumni launch careers at premier healthcare institutions, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Jefferson Health, while others contribute to leading architecture/engineering firms like HDR and CRB Group. Those pursuing advanced degrees frequently choose top-tier institutions, including Northwestern University and Villanova, with many returning to Jefferson’s own renowned graduate programs, demonstrating the strong foundation provided by the university’s integrated undergraduate experience.

  • Enrollment: 3,731
  • Cost of Attendance: $68,557
  • Median SAT: 1250
  • Median ACT: 30
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%

#18 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Colorado State University

Colorado State University

  • Fort Collins, CO

Academic Highlights:聽Colorado State University provides students with a dynamic academic environment offering 74 undergraduate degree programs supported by a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. While 33% of courses maintain an intimate setting with fewer than 20 students, another 22% feature larger lecture-style classes, creating diverse learning experiences. CSU shines in hands-on learning, with 5,000+ undergraduates engaging in research annually and one in four students gaining global perspectives through study abroad or international programs鈥攄emonstrating the university’s commitment to experiential education at scale.

Professional Outcomes: CSU graduates achieve remarkable career success, with 90% of the Class of 2023 securing employment or graduate school placement within six months. An impressive 72% completed internships, contributing to strong outcomes where 87% landed jobs aligned with their career goals, and 69% overall were employed. Alumni thrive at industry leaders like Lockheed Martin, Deloitte, and Fidelity Investments, while those continuing their education frequently choose top public research universities, including the University of Colorado system, Arizona State, and the University of Washington. With an average starting salary of $57,461, CSU proves the value of its academic programs.

  • Enrollment: 25,834
  • Cost of Attendance: $32,439 (In-State); $53,294 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1160
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%

#19 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University

  • Forth Worth, TX

Academic Highlights: TCU offers 117 undergraduate majors. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes at TCU are not all tiny, but the school manages to keep enrollment below 20 students in 41% of its class sections, and only 5% of courses seat more than 50. Of equal importance, 98% of faculty members teach undergraduate students, so you will have access to the best and brightest professors the school has to offer. The study abroad program makes international study readily accessible, and two-fifths of undergrads enjoy a semester overseas.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 81% of recent diploma-earners were employed or had their graduate school placement lined up. Deloitte, American Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs employ the greatest number of alumni. Other companies hiring recent TCU grads include Microsoft, IBM, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, Cerner, PWC, and AT&T. The most recent median starting salary was $65,000.

  • Enrollment: 10,937
  • Cost of Attendance: $77,060
  • Median SAT: 1270
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 43%
  • Retention Rate: 94%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%

#20 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Baylor University

Baylor University

  • Waco, TX

Academic Highlights: Class sizes at Baylor generally range from small to medium, with 52% of sections containing fewer than 20 students and 77% enrolling fewer than 29.聽The Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Achievement (URSA) office does a superb job connecting students with a research opportunity in their field of interest. The school also pushes overseas experiences in the form of an internship, academic semester, or mission trip. Baylor offers signature programs in Scotland, the Netherlands, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: At the 180-day post-graduation point, those who earned their diplomas from Baylor had entered the world of full-time employment at a 49% clip, and 28% had entered a graduate or professional degree program. Large numbers of recent grads were scooped up by many of the most desirable employers in the country including KPMG (25), Deloitte (24), and PricewaterhouseCoopers (24). The average starting salary was $62k. Among recent grads, the most commonly attended graduate school was Baylor itself (249), followed by Texas A&M (24).

  • Enrollment: 15,155
  • Cost of Attendance: $74,269
  • Median SAT: 1290
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 51%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 80%

#21 Best Fashion Merchandising College
Iowa State University

Iowa State University

  • Ames, IA

Academic Highlights:聽With more than 100 majors available across six undergraduate colleges, Iowa State has no shortage of academic pathways to explore. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, yet courses are a mix of large and small. 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and 23% enroll more than 50. 鈥Iowa State University offers extensive undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines, coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression. For example, students can participate in programs such as the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions for juniors and seniors to engage in faculty-mentored research projects.

Professional Outcomes: Ninety-four percent of the Class of 2023 enjoyed positive career outcomes, with 79% employed and 15% continuing their education. Popular employers include John Deere, Principal Financial Group, Amazon, Collins Aerospace, Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Cargill, and Microsoft. Most remain in Iowa after graduation but many also move to Minnesota, Chicago, California, or Texas. The average starting salary for the most recent engineering cohort was $77,260.

  • Enrollment: 25,332
  • Cost of Attendance: $24,204 (In-State); $41,390 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 24
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 88%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%

#22 Best Fashion Merchandising College
University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

  • Columbia, SC

Academic Highlights: UofSC is a massive enterprise, with 15 colleges/schools within the larger university. Even so, 70% of all sections contain 29 or fewer students聽 The South Carolina Honors College is extremely hard to get into and is one of the finest in the entire country. The Office of Undergraduate Research will help ambitious students locate a mentor professor in their discipline, pursue funding sources, and compete for school-based undergraduate research awards; roughly one-third of students work with a faculty member on research. Study abroad opportunities are also there for all who seek them; close to 2,000 students study abroad in 65+ countries each year.

Professional Outcomes: More than 1000 UofSC alumni work at Prisma Health; hundreds are employed at Wells Fargo, Amazon, and Microsoft. Within the School of Business, the average salary was $93k and recent employers include Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PwC, EY, and Deloitte. College of Arts and Sciences graduates secured employment at Greenville Health Systems, BlueCross BlueShield SC, the State of South Carolina, and Amazon, earning an average salary of $86,046.

  • Enrollment: 28,470
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,977 (In-State); $54,223 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1270
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 61%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 78%

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Fashion Merchandising to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including: