by our College Data Analytics TeamFashion Merchandising was the 188th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,644 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 7.7% reduction in fashion merchandising degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 3,926.
This year's Best Fashion Merchandising Schools ranking compares 82 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of fashion merchandising programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in fashion merchandising is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
fashion merchandising degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific fashion merchandising careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different fashion merchandising degree levels. You can get anything from a in fashion merchandising to the highest fashion merchandising degree, a . Fashion Merchandising programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to fashion merchandising, with approximately 55.6% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to fashion merchandising tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 61.3% |
| High School Diploma | 22.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 6.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.9% |
Most workers in fashion merchandising have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in fashion merchandising have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the fashion merchandising career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your fashion merchandising degree? Fashion Merchandising careers are expected to grow 4.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fashion merchandising.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives | 1,546,300 | 5.2% |
| Wholesale and Retail Buyers | 120,300 | -2.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for fashion merchandising graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for fashion merchandising graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers fashion merchandising grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives | $69,480 |
With over 169 different fashion merchandising degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased fashion merchandising school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Fashion Merchandising that might interest you.
BS in Fashion Merchandising Management
Prepare to join the United States' $25 billion fashion industry with our online Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising Management program. You can enhance your creativity and knowledge of design processes with our online program as you learn how fashion apparel is developed, marketed and distributed.
One of 9 majors within the Specialized Sales, Merchandising & Marketing area of study, Fashion Merchandising has other similar majors worth exploring.
