According to students, alums, education bloggers, independent publications, and more, top schools have a number of things in common. They are convenient and affordable, they have comfortable class sizes, a variety of academic programs, a large collection of student clubs and other organizations, and they offer a warm and friendly campus environment. Many Washington schools offer this and more, which is why they routinely make the list of Top Schools in the U.S.
The state is home to 85 Title IV degree-granting schools including everything from traditional universities to art and design schools. Just a few of the state’s top art and design schools include Seattle’s Cornish College of Arts and the University of Washington School of Art—also in Seattle. The state is also home to a number of independent art schools such as Gage Academy of Art—an extended learning art center, and many top schools that offer excellent fashion programs. Seattle Pacific University, Central Washington University in Ellensburg, and The Art Institute of Seattle are just a few.
Continue reading to learn more about Washington’s top schools for aspiring fashion designers and what they have to offer.
Top Fashion School Programs Washington State – Major Cities
Seattle
Seattle Central Community College
Student Population: 16,680
Backdrop: City, large campus, easy access to downtown Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Victoria Canada
Degrees Offered: A.A.S. Apparel Design & Development
Seattle
Seattle Pacific University
Student Population: 4,000
Backdrop: City-North Queen Anne residential neighborhood, 43-acre campus, easy access to downtown Seattle, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Bellevue, Renton, Victoria Canada
Degrees Offered: B.S. Clothing and Textiles with a Fashion Merchandising or Apparel Design Emphasis, Clothing and Textiles Minor, B.S. Interior Design
Seattle
The Art Institute of Seattle
Student Population: 1,127
Backdrop: City, small campus, easy access to downtown Seattle, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Bellevue, Renton, Victoria Canada
Degrees Offered: B.F.A. Fashion Design, B.S. Fashion Marketing, A.A. Fashion Design, A.A. Fashion Marketing, Fashion Retailing-Diploma, A.A. Interior Design, B.F.A. Interior Design
Seattle
International Academy of Design & Technology
Student Population: 500+
Backdrop: City, small campus, easy access to Bellevue, Renton, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Victoria Canada
Degrees Offered: B.F.A. Fashion Design, A.A.S. Fashion Design, B.F.A. Fashion Merchandising, A.A.S. Fashion Merchandising, B.S. Retail Merchandise Management, A.S. Retail Merchandise Management, B.F.A. Interior Design
Seattle
New York Fashion Academy
Student Population: 100+
Backdrop: City, small campus, easy access to Bellevue, Renton, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Victoria Canada
Degrees Offered: 18-month Certificate Program in Design and Construction, "the only comprehensive high-fashion curriculum in the Northwest" according to the Academy
Top Fashion School Programs Washington State – Other Cities and Towns
Pullman
Washington State University
Student Population: 26,000
Backdrop: Town, 1,745-acre campus, easy access to Spokane, Richland
Degrees Offered: B.S. Apparel and Textiles with an option in Apparel Design or Merchandising, M.A. Apparel and Textiles with an option in Apparel Design or Merchandising
Ellensburg
Central Washington University
Student Population: 10,750 students
Backdrop: Village, 350-acre campus, easy access to Seattle, Yakima, Richland
Degrees Offered: B.S. Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising; Apparel Textiles and Merchandising Minor, Apparel Design Minor
More Programs to consider:
[listing]
Sources
Peterson’s
Princeton Review
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings
