Thomas Jefferson University campus. Photo: Gary G. Schempp, Jr.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Programs:
Undergraduate: Fashion Design; Fashion Merchandising & Management; Textile Design; Textile Materials Technology
Graduate: Fashion Design Management; Textile Design; Global Fashion Enterprise; Textile Engineering and Science
Annual Tuition:
Undergraduate: $40,680
Graduate: $1,190 per credit
Companies That Recruit From This School, According to the School: Urban Oufitters, Free People, Anthropologie, Van Heusen, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Lily Pulitzer, Li & Fung, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike, Under Armor, Old Navy
Graduation Rate: 89%
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Class Size: 12 students
Student/Reacher Ratio: 10:1
Classes Are Taught in: English
Percentage of International Students: 8%
Job Placement Rate: 96%
What the Students Say:
"It is a very collaborative environment, and you are placed in real-life scenarios from the industry from your first semester on."
"If you are looking to study Textiles this is the school for you! Our programs are amazing and in my personal college searching experience, could not find one that compares."
"This school offers the most opportunities for internships and careers after college. The amount of assistance and encouragement that the faculty provides for students for class projects and real world opportunities is truly amazing."
"Faculty is out of touch and more concerned with workplace politics than nurturing potential. Many students feel uneasy about post grad opportunities and fall out of love with the industry because of this experience."
"It is a great place to learn all of the necessary skills if you're starting from scratch. However, the department has a lot of unexplained rules about what we can and can't design that I think do more hurt than help and really restrict our creativity and stunt positive progress in gender diversity and acceptance of all body sizes."
"I was a little disappointed with the lack of connections my school/career services had when I was looking for summer internships."
A recent Thomas Jefferson University Runway Show. Photo: Gary G. Schempp, Jr.
The Bottom Line: Formerly Philadelphia University, Jefferson focuses on providing a holistic approach to fashion design education — addressing not only design but also merchandising, technology, production, business and other elements required to actually make it in the industry. There are also study-abroad programs in Europe for those looking for a more global experience. The proximity to New York is also something to keep in mind. While the school doesn't boast as many marquee designer names as some others, its alumni have nabbed jobs within a number of prestigious apparel companies.
More Info:
http://www.eastfalls.jefferson.edu/fashiondesign
Instagram: @jeffersonfashiondesign, @jeffersonfashionmerchandising, @jeffersonms_fashiondesmgmt, @textiledesignatjefferson, @jeffersonuniv, @surfaceimaging
Facebook: jeffersonfashiondesign, jeffersonuniv
The 25 Best Fashion Schools in the World in 2019: See the full list.
Last updated December 2019.