Is there really a difference between a “Best” Fashion school and a “Top” Fashion school? Yes and no. Certain groups, such as college ranking agencies, evaluate schools based on factors outside of cost and convenience, while others groups such as alums, student organizations, and education bloggers may evaluate schools based on, yes, affordability and location, and other factors such as student clubs, classroom size, and more. Although both sides use different factors to determine which schools will make the cut, many schools across the nation can be found on both lists.
To determine if a school belongs on a “Best” list, college ranking agencies may consider factors such as program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity. To determine which schools deserve a spot on a “Top” schools list, alums, education bloggers, and student groups may consider factors such as job placement services, quality of the facilities, campus life, and again, cost and convenience.
Continue reading to find out which Georgia fashion schools are tops all around and what they have to offer. Please note that the top schools listed below are in order by student population, from largest to smallest.
Top Fashion School Programs Georgia - Major Cities
Athens
University of Georgia
Student Population: 26,373
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,508-acre campus, easy access to Atlanta, Augusta
Degrees Offered: B.S. Fashion Merchandising optional Global Soft Goods Merchandising and Manufacturing emphasis; M.S. Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors with a focus in Textile Science, Historic/Cultural Aspects of Dress and Textiles, Merchandising/International Trade, and Interior Environments; Ph.D. Textile Sciences with an emphasis in International Merchandising + concentrated study in International Apparel and Textiles Retailing, International Production and Trade, Global Sourcing, International Business Practices, and E-commerce in a Global Setting; Minor Fashion Merchandising
Atlanta
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Student Population: 10,500
Backdrop: Urban, 200,000+ sq. ft. multiple buildings, easy access to Athens, Columbus, Decatur, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, College Park
Degrees Offered: B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor in Fashion Design; B.F.A., Minor Fashion Marketing and Management; M.A, M.F.A Luxury and Fashion Management; B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Interior Design; B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Illustration
Savannah
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Student Population: 10,500
Backdrop: City, 2 million sq. ft. 60+ facility campus, easy access to Statesboro, Hilton Head Island SC
Degrees Offered: B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Fashion Design; B.F.A., Minor Fashion Marketing and Management; B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Fibers; B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Accessory Design; B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Jewelry and Objects; M.A., M.F.A. Luxury and Fashion Management, B.A. B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Illustration; B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., Minor Interior Design
Atlanta
Clark Atlanta University
Student Population: 3,419
Backdrop: Urban, 126-acre campus, easy access to downtown Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Decatur, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, College Park
Degrees Offered: B.A. Fashion/Merchandising with a concentration in Design, B.A. in Fashion Merchandising with a concentration in Merchandising
Atlanta
The Art Institute of Atlanta
Student Population: 2,725
Backdrop: Urban, small campus, easy access to Athens, Columbus, Decatur, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, College Park
Degrees Offered: B.A. Fashion & Retail Management, Fashion Retailing Diploma, B.F.A. Illustration, B.F.A. Interior Design
Atlanta
American InterContinental University, Atlanta
Student Population: 2,000+
Backdrop: City, small campus, easy access to downtown Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Decatur, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, College Park
Degrees Offered: B.F.A. Fashion Marketing with a specialization in Marketing or Fashion Retailing, B.F.A. Fashion Marketing and Design with a specialization in Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing or Costume Design
Atlanta
Bauder College
Student Population: 700+
Backdrop: Urban, 70,000 sq. ft. campus, College is on the National Register of Historic Places, easy access to access to Athens, Columbus, Decatur, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, College Park
Degrees Offered: Associate Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design
Fashion School Programs Georgia - Other Cities and Towns
Statesboro
Georgia Southern University
Student Population: 17,525
Backdrop: Town, 700-acre campus, easy access to Augusta, Savannah
Degrees Offered: B.S. Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design with an emphasis in Apparel Design or Fashion Merchandising, B.S. Interior Design
Gainesville
Brenau University
Student Population: 775
Backdrop: Town, 56-acre campus, easy access to Athens, Atlanta
Degrees Offered: B.F.A. Fashion Design, B.A. Fashion Merchandising
More Programs to Consider:
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Sources
Peterson’s
Princeton Review
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings
