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What is Fashion Merchandising?

Fashion merchandising involves developing an understanding of the fashion industry, including anticipating consumer demand and identifying growing trends in order to take advantage of market conditions and to release products in order to take advantage of such demand. Individuals working in the field will use a variety of research models in order to extrapolate information for use in the decision making process.

Marketing, business, merchandising and analytical skills are all utilized by individuals when attempting to track market forces. Individuals in this field may find themselves specializing in a particular area of fashion merchandising or focusing on a specific market group.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$60,700

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

38.93%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

443,200

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Fashion Merchandising Schools

The Fashion Merchandising is a degree program offered in the University of Georgia. Students in this program gain experience in the fashion retail business. They are guided to hone their skills in retail math, in sales as well as in customer service. Students will also participate in a fashion merchandising internship as part of this degree.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

A top-rated fashion merchandising major is offered at Texas Christian University. In this major, students learn about the business behind the fashion industry. They will have knowledge about the supply chain, quality assessment, buying and selling of merchandise. Students will develop the analytical thinking skills and the ability to create the products that will meet the needs of today’s consumers. 

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

top rated fashion merchandising degree program is offered at Marist College. In this program, students will understand the real meaning of fashion merchandising. Students will be familiar with the basic terminologies used to describe fashion and know how to utilize it. Upon completion of this course, they will be able to identify the major players in the fashion industry for the last 100 years.

Acceptance Rate

49.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Merchandising and Marketing degree program is offered at FIDM. This program prepares students for pursuing a career in the global fields of fashion merchandising and brand management. This curriculum focuses on the development of creative, technological, and promotional strategies. Along with critical thought, teamwork and creative applications, students will consider the needs of the consumer in this digital era. 

Acceptance Rate

36.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The Apparel Merchandising major at Baylor University requires students to complete a summer internship as part of their degree. The internships that are open for students are all over the United States and in Europe. Students may also grab the opportunity to study abroad in Europe and have a study tour in New York City or in Montreal. In spring, their students are allowed to plan a fashion show.

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The Fashion Business Management degree program at Fashion Institute of Technology is the largest and oldest degree program of its kind in their country. This program has close ties to the fashion industry which gives extensive networking opportunities to the alumni. Students who take this course will be given the chance to take field trips to different stores and corporate offices where they can meet and greet industry executives. Students in this program also have the chance to win industry scholarships. 

Acceptance Rate

53.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Howard University offers a BFA degree in Design with a concentration in Fashion Design. This concentration gives an overview of the fashion industry and the role that the consumer plays. They put emphasis on product development. Students will be able to explore fashion design in conjunction with different critical elements of design.

Acceptance Rate

36.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The AAS in Fashion Marketing degree is offered at The New School-Parsons. This is an intensive and flexible degree that focuses on the fundamentals of communication strategy. Students will study the different aspects of the fashion system. They will find out the relationship between brand, product, marketing and communication practices. Students will receive training from working professionals.

Acceptance Rate

57.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Harding University offers a Fashion Merchandising program that includes the study of product planning, development, and marketing. This field is for people with knowledge of the fast-paced fashion world and for those who possess keen business skills. This program encourages their students to gain experiences outside the classroom by joining American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Arkansas Affiliate. Graduates of this program are in high demand and receive excellent advancement opportunities.

Acceptance Rate

61.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

At Lipscomb University, students get the chance to study Fashion and Interior Merchandising at a place where the fashion industry is burgeoning, at the center of the action in Nashville. Here the local businesses in the area become the extension of their classrooms. Students are provided with the faculty experts and industry connections that will guide them in developing skills and experience. This university also owns a collection that includes historic garments from 1890 plus designer clothes. 

Acceptance Rate

63.11

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

BS in Fashion Merchandising degree is available at Thomas Jefferson University. This provides a comprehensive core course with a holistic knowledge of the merchandising and marketing aspects of the fashion industry. They also offer career-focused specializations that give the opportunity to customize the student’s skill set and academic experience. Students are allowed to select a career-driven specialization under the guidance of faculty advisors and career services.

Acceptance Rate

65.88

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Mount Mary University is the only university along Washington, DC area that offers BA in Fashion Merchandising. Their graduates successfully found employment in New York City and in other urban fashion centers. This program manifests a global perspective that is well suited to the needs of the contemporary fashion industry. Students in this program study buying, product development and visual merchandising.

Acceptance Rate

57.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

A Fashion Merchandising degree is offered at Olivet Nazarene University. This program has a Minor in marketing or business management in an aim to increase career opportunities and success. Students who enroll in this program can earn professional development units if they attend professional meetings. Students can freely use the provided design library, workroom and computerized sewing machines.

Acceptance Rate

57.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Merchandising and Design degree at Meredith College offers a unique approach by combining academics with industry knowledge. Students can expect to acquire a strong foundation in theories and practices used in the fashion industry. They will also be given the opportunity to apply everything that they learn. Upon completing this course, students will then be prepared to pursue a career in jobs in retail, wholesale or in design. 

Acceptance Rate

64.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Graduates of BA in Fashion Merchandising at Point Loma Nazarene University are taught about the influence of physical and social environments and the digital advancements to fashion or interior design products. They developed the ability to apply design concepts and they can also make an appropriate end use of whatever materials available. They can intelligently analyze career paths within the fashion design industries. They can also manifest societal diversity considerations for merchandising fashion and design services. 

Acceptance Rate

73.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The Fashion Merchandising Degree in Dominican University prepares their students to lead the business side of the fashion industry. In this major, study of fashion and business, promotion, textile science plus market research are blended. Students will have deep knowledge about apparel design, visual display, branding, marketing, social media and management. They claim that upon completion of this major, students will become a savvy professional and their finger will be on the pulse of the fashion world. 

Acceptance Rate

64.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Through Ashland University’s Fashion Merchandising major program, students benefit from top fashion retailer speakers, service-learning opportunities, and class fashion shows. They limit their class sizes to ensure individualized attention. For program credits, they are affiliated with Paris and New York programs which allow students to give real-world fashion experience to students. The faculty members are all dedicated in bringing fashion merchandising to life through the real-world experience they possess.

Acceptance Rate

71.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

A top-ranked Fashion Merchandising degree is offered in Central Michigan University. Students here will study both aesthetic and functional design plus the marketing and retailing of apparel and textiles, all through cutting-edge technology. They provide a core that integrates the design and merchandising that reflects the industry trends. Their goal is to position the students for jobs in the design or in the production of apparel and textile products. 

Acceptance Rate

69.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

High Point University offers a major in Fashion Merchandising that is conferred as a bachelor’s degree.  Students at High Point University will take a series of classes to help build foundational knowledge and build latent skills in merchandising.  From supply chain management to business operations, students will learn how to optimize the merchandising process while building relationships for the benefit of the organization. 

Acceptance Rate

74.55

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising is offered at Ball State University. This program prepares students for a n exciting, fast-paced world of fashion merchandising. They aim to help the students be able to have a grasp of the theory and practice behind the fashion industry. Majors are required to complete a unique curriculum that will prepare them for different challenging career paths within the fashion merchandising industry.

Acceptance Rate

76.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Bowling Green State University offers a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Product Development.  This program provides the professional skills needed to gain success in the fashion industry. This college degree program ranked in the nation’s top 50, which verifies its capability to effectively train students for a career in the business of fashion. As a result, BGSU graduates have been working in every area of the global fashion industry.

Acceptance Rate

71.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

BFA degrees in Fashion Design and Merchandising are offered at Belmont University. This program trains students to be able to compete successfully in the demanding fashion industry. They help them gain practical skills and experiential learning through a well-rounded program that intertwines design and business with the knowledge about the latest technologies. Graduates leave the program with advanced skills that are proven important in pursuing a satisfying and exciting career in the fashion industry.

Acceptance Rate

83.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

BS degree and AS degree program in Fashion Merchandising are both available at Immaculata University. These programs are for people who are interested to get involved in the Business of fashion. They designed a career-focused degree in fashion merchandising that fits the people who love fashion but doesn’t want to walk the fashion runway. Their multidisciplinary curriculum is tailored to integrate creative processes with business principles.

Acceptance Rate

81.01

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

At St. Catherine University, students under the Fashion Merchandising degree will learn how to use the largest visual merchandising and fashion window display database that is used by top retailers around the world - the WindowsWear. In addition to that, they will also develop Photoshop skills and use illustrators excellently. St. Kate’s fashion program is also a highly ranked fashion program because they maintained relevant and in line marketplace trends with the help of their program committee that are fashion and design experts. This program can help their students enrich their merchandising education along with the required communications course.

Acceptance Rate

67.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Fashion Merchandising is one of the highly competitive programs that Adrian College’s Department of Accountancy, Business, and Economics offer. This program is tailored to prepare students for a career in domestic and global functions of merchandising. Some of the topics that this program will discuss are historical perspectives, marketing and retail environments, and current events. The coursework they provide also includes but not limited to textiles, assortment development, and visual merchandising.

Acceptance Rate

55.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Top Fashion Merchandising Degrees

A number of degree programs exist for those seeking to enter the fashion merchandising field or progress in the field with additional educational opportunities.  Programs range from certificate programs through bachelor degrees in fashion merchandising.  Whether you elect to learn in a classroom or online, degrees in merchandising can help you reach our career goals.  A summary of each degree type is listed below:

Certificate Programs in Fashion Merchandising

Certificate programs in fashion merchandising are offered via several accredited colleges and universities found on this resource page.  Certificate programs will come in two distinct types: graduate and undergraduate.  The undergraduate certificate program is an entry-level program focused on providing students with core skills and key concepts to navigate merchandising from the ground up.

Graduate certificate programs, on the other hand, are upper-level courses designed for working professionals and qualifying students to upskill, add key knowledge, advance their career, or prepare for a job transition.  To learn more about certificate options, simply select the button below or sort by schools on this page to find the perfect college program for you.

Associate Degrees in Fashion Merchandising

The associate degree in fashion merchandising can be conferred as an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) as a function of the coursework and school’s accreditation parameters.  Specializations in the associate degree track can include: Merchandising and Marketing, Fashion Marketing, Merchandise Product Development.

The 2-year associate’s degree will provide students with liberal arts classes such as math, sociology, and psychology to help students think differently about the world around them.  Core classes in the associate degree program can include classes such as: sales management, consumer behavior, event promotion, advertising, merchandise management, business management, financial management, apparel production, retail operations, visual merchandising, and brand marketing.

Bachelor Degrees in Fashion Merchandising

The bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising is a four-year program for full-time students and longer for part-time students as a function of course load and completion.  Bachelor degrees can be conferred as Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Bachelor of Science (BS) dependent upon the curricular design of the program.

A bachelor’s degree provides students with additional liberal arts classes and core courses to help them fill-in their skill set, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.  Students will take core classes in graphic design, business management, theory of design, manufacturing, leadership, economics, retail management, marketing, textiles fundamentals, forecasting, retailing basics, sales promotion, image manipulation, digital illustration, digital imaging, procurement, contemporary design, and visual imaging.

The overarching goals of the bachelor’s degree program in fashion merchandising is to prepare students by providing them tools to become effective communicators, merchandising professionals, marketing experts, technologically proficient, and effective visual merchandisers.

Educational Requirements in Merchandising

Adegree in fashion merchandising prepares an individual with the skills necessary to track market trends, identify new fashions, approximate costs and evaluate demand for various products in the fashion industry. Fashion merchandising is a growing field; certificate and degree programs have become more commonplace and often explore the business side of fashion. A fashion merchandising program will impart multiple skills ranging from the artistic to business.

Individuals enrolled in a fashion merchandising program will be exposed to various fashions, trends, and design principles. Utilizing case studies, students will learn about how trends may impact the market, and how new fashions may be introduced into a given area.

Students will also learn about manufacturing pipelines, how to develop and maintaining relationships with various suppliers and manufacturers, as well as understanding the process for production and the costs associated for orders of varying size. In addition, business courses will be taken, providing understanding of basic economic principles and managerial methods. A curriculum in fashion merchandising may include:

  • Merchandising
  • Retailing
  • Import and Export
  • Textiles
  • Production Methods

Employment in Fashion Merchandising

As it is a burgeoning field there is no standard degree for entry level positions, and talent carries a significant amount of weight. Positions requiring cost-benefit analyses on production, and equivalent statistical reporting may require higher levels of education or several years of experience.

A fashion merchandiser must constantly be on the lookout for developing trends, and must be able to examine previous fashion trends to predict product purchases for stores, or production runs for designers.

Individuals in this field should be able to distinguish themselves by demonstrating industry knowledge and accurately understanding the forces that are in effect when considering marketing solutions and production options.

Some possible career paths include:

  • Fashion Advertising Agent
  • Event Planner
  • Store Buyer
  • Promotion Specialist

Fashion Merchandising Jobs & Industry Growth

Job growth in fashion merchandising is expected to grow significantly faster than average over the next decade. This is due to burgeoning markets locally, nationally, and internationally. The desire for professionals who understand fashion production and can identify trends in the market is expected to increase as the ability to deliver goods to previously untapped markets increases. This is coupled with an increased interest in fashion by the middle class which will increase the demand for varying fashions in the future.

The average salary for someone with a degree in fashion merchandise is $60,700 per year, but can vary wildly based on career path, experience, and employer.  The outlook for the industry over the next ten years is steady with an expected 7,200 fashion merchandisers expected to join the ranks of the profession.

Fashion Art Schools Near You

The team at MatchCollege is always looking for ways to help students and working professionals find important information about higher education. We have sorted fashion art programs by size, degree type, area of concentration, state, and school type. For visual learners, we have included an alphabetical list of the top ranked fashion art schools in the country for additional research purposes.

Academy of Art University Musicians Institute
Academy of Vocal Arts New England School of Photography
AI Miami International University of Art And Design New Hampshire Institute of Art
American Academy of Art New York Academy of Art
American Academy of Dramatic Arts West New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts
American Conservatory Theater New York Film Academy Universal City
American Institute of Interior Design New York School of Interior Design
Antonelli Institute Northwest College of Art
Art Academy of Cincinnati Nossi College of Art
Art Center College of Design Oklahoma School of Photography
Art Institute Pittsburgh Omore College of Design
Atlanta Institute of Music Oregon College of Art And Craft
Berklee College of Music Otis College of Art And Design
California College of The Arts Pacific Northwest College of Art
California Institute of The Arts Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts
Circle In The Square Theater School Pennsylvania College of Art And Design
Cleveland Institute of Art Portland Actors Conservatory
Cleveland Institute of Music Ringling College of Art And Design
Columbia College Hollywood Rocky Mountain College of Art And Design
Columbus College of Art And Design San Francisco Art Institute
Compass College of Cinematic Arts San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Cornish College of The Arts Santa Fe University of Art And Design
Cranbrook Academy of Art Savannah College of Art And Design
Design Institute of San Diego School of Advertising Art Inc
Ducret School of Arts School of The Art Institute of Chicago
Ex Pression College For Digital Arts School of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Fashion Institute of Technology School of Visual Arts
Gemological Institute of America The Art Center Design College Albuquerque
Gemological Institute of America New York The Art Institute of California
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology The Art Institute of Philadelphia
Hussian School of Art The Collective School of Music
Interior Designers Institute The Creative Center
Kansas City Art Institute The Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising
KD College Conservatory of Film And Dramatic Arts The Illinois Institute of Art Chicago
Laguna College of Art And Design The Juilliard School
Los Angeles Music Academy The Kubert School
Maine College of Art The New England Conservatory of Music
Manhattan School of Music The New England Institute of Art
Maryland Institute College of Art The University of The Arts
Massachusetts College of Art And Design University of North Carolina School of The Arts
Milwaukee Institute of Art Design Vandercook College of Music
Minneapolis College of Art And Design Visible School Music And Worships Arts College
Montserrat College of Art Wade College
Moore College of Art And Design Watkins College of Art Design Film

 

Those interested in a degree in fashion merchandising may also be interested inapparel and accessories marketing operations,fashion and apparel design, orbusiness administration.

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