If you’re an aspiring fashion designer, you probably already know that there are thousands of fashion programs available across the U.S. Some programs are offered at traditional colleges and universities, while others are offered at art and design schools, technical schools, and fashion academies. Many of these schools carry both regional and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation, and a large number of these academic institutions rank among America’s top schools.
According to student groups, alums, education bloggers, and other related groups, a “Top” school has a lot to offer students in the way convenience, campus life, cost, and more. Each year, groups such as these evaluate the nation’s colleges to determine which ones deserve a spot on the list. In addition to assessing each school’s geographic location, campus, and cost to attend (including tuition, room and board, supplies, fees, meals, transportation), these groups may also consider job placement, student clubs and organizations, quality of facilities, and more.
A number of North Carolina schools scored high in all areas, including many schools that offer top-tier fashion programs. Continue reading to find out which North Carolina fashion schools made the cut and what they have to offer. Please note that the schools are in order by student population—largest to smallest.
Top Fashion School Programs North Carolina - Major Cities
Charlotte
Johnson & Wales University
Student Population: 17,000
Backdrop: City, 12-acre campus, easy access to Greensboro, Asheville
Degrees Offered: B.S. Fashion Merchandising & Retail Marketing
Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Student Population: 14,638
Backdrop: City, 357-acre campus, easy access to Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston-Salem
Degrees Offered: B.S. Apparel Product Design, B.S. Global Apparel and Related Industries, B.S. Retailing and Consumer Studies
Durham
North Carolina Central University
Student Population: 8,155
Backdrop: City, 135-acre campus, easy access to Raleigh, Greensboro, Chapel Hill
Degrees Offered: B.S. Textiles & Apparel with concentrations in Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design
Raleigh
Meredith College
Student Population: 1,980
Backdrop: City, 225-acre campus, easy access to Durham, Greensboro, Chapel Hill
Degrees Offered: B.S. Fashion Merchandising and Design with a concentration in Merchandising or Design, B.S. Interior Design
Charlotte
The Art Institute of Charlotte
Student Population: 1,000+
Backdrop: Urban, small campus, easy access to Greensboro, Asheville
Degrees Offered: B.A. Fashion & Retail Management, A.A.S. Fashion & Retail Management, A.A.S. Fashion Design, Fashion Retailing Certificate, B.F.A. Interior Design, A.A.S. Interior Design
Durham
The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham
Student Population: 300+
Backdrop: City, small campus, easy access to Raleigh, Greensboro, Chapel Hill
Degrees Offered: B.A. Fashion & Retail Management, A.A.S. Fashion & Retail Management, Fashion Retailing Certificate, B.F.A. Interior Design
Top Fashion School Programs North Carolina - Other Cities and Towns
Greenville
East Carolina University
Student Population: 21,589
Backdrop: Small city/town, 1,379-acre campus, easy access to Raleigh, Durham, Chesapeake and Norfolk VA
Degrees Offered: B.S. Merchandising with a Fashion concentration, B.S. Interiors Merchandising, B.S. Interior Design
Boone
Appalachian State University
Student Population: 15,460
Backdrop: Small town, 1,300-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B.S. Apparel Design and Merchandising, Minor Apparel Design and Merchandising
Mars Hill
Mars Hill College
Student Population: 1,200
Backdrop: Mountains of western North Carolina, 194-acre campus, easy access to Asheville, Charlotte
Degrees Offered: B.S. Apparel & Interior Merchandising
More Programs to Consider:
[listing]
Sources
Peterson’s
Princeton Review
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings
