School and Ranking Information
There are four schools in the Atlanta area for students who want to pursue a fashion design career. Based on degree programs offered, as well as graduation rates, the top three schools in the Atlanta area for training to become a fashion designer are Savannah College of Art and Design - Atlanta (SCAD) and Clark Atlanta University (CAU).
- Winner: SCAD offers fashion degrees at both the bachelor's and master's levels and has the highest overall undergraduate graduation rate. Its graduate fine arts programs have been nationally ranked.
- Runner-Up #1: CAU has a bachelor's degree program in fashion design and offers several internship options. It has been ranked among the top 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | Savannah College of Art and Design | Clark Atlanta University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rankings | #158 in Fine Arts Grad Schools in 2020* | #23 (tie) in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 2022* | |
| Location | Atlanta | Atlanta | |
| School Type | 4-year, private, not-for-profit** | 4-year, private, not-for-profit** | 4-year (primarily associate's degrees) private, for-profit** |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $38,840 (undergraduate)**, $39,240 (graduate)** | $24,012 (undergraduate)** | |
| Fashion Design Degree Levels Offered | Bachelor's and master's degrees** | Bachelor's degrees** | |
| Fashion Design Degrees Awarded (All Levels) in 2021-2022 | 180 (Savannah campus)** | 38** | |
| Most Popular Fashion Design Program (2021-2022) | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion (155 awarded at Savannah campus)** | Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design/Merchandising (38 awarded)** | |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal program time) for 2015 Entering Class | 71% (Savannah campus)** | 42%** | |
| Noteworthy | SCAD has a Style Lab mentorship program for fashion design students | CAU is the largest of the 39 United Negro College Fund institutions |
Sources: *U.S. News & World Report, **NCES College Navigator
Winner: Savannah College of Art and Design - Atlanta
- SCAD offers fashion design-related organizations
- SCAD holds an annual fashion show of juried graduate and undergraduate creations
In addition to Atlanta, SCAD also maintains campuses in Savannah, GA, and Hong Kong. SCAD's School of Fashion offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The 180-quarter-hour Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) includes courses such as fashion concept development, fashion sketching, apparel development, fashion technology and CAD for fashion design. Other graduation requirements include a portfolio presentation and a senior fashion collection. A 40-quarter-hour minor in fashion design is also offered.
Graduate students can earn a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion. The MA program consists of 45 quarter hours, and the MFA requires 90 quarter hours and a thesis. Graduate courses include fashion materials, accessory illustration, fashion forecasting and multimedia communication in fashion. Fashion master's students also complete studio work.
Runner-Up #1: Clark Atlanta University
- Study abroad programs in fashion design are available
- Students can complete multiple fashion design internships
- The Department of Art hosts visiting fashion professionals, including designers
Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, which includes core courses in fashion illustration, draping, clothing construction, accessory design and computer-based fashion design. A fashion show production course is required, as well as a capstone course in which students must produce a design portfolio. Although all students are required to complete at least one internship, they may be able to participate in as many as three. While preparing for their third year at CAU, students may qualify to participate in a study abroad program, which can last for the entire junior year. Students have studied in fashion capitals like Paris, Milan and London.
