Is Fashion School Worth It? A Data-Based Look at Career Outcomes and ROI

Fashion school is worth it when the total cost is recouped by the earnings the degree unlocks, making the answer specific to a program, not just an industry. Cost varies widely by credential: at Istituto Marangoni Miami, a two-year associate degree totals $85,900 and a four-year bachelor’s degree totals $171,300, compared with a US average of $58,600 per year for on-campus undergraduates at private nonprofit four-year institutions in 2022-23. Note that our own data is more up-to-date than NCES data, so the gap isn’t as large.

NCES average is three years older than our IMM statistics, so be sure to keep it in mind. Earnings vary by occupation rather than by diploma. Working in the field studied matters more than graduating at all, since an out-of-field graduate carries the cost without the earnings premium. And industry access (internships and employer relationships) is what converts a credential into a first real job.

The measurable benefit of fashion school is in-field employment, meaning graduates work directly in the field they studied. At Istituto Marangoni Miami, the BFA in Fashion Design reported 100% in-field employment in both 2024/25 and 2023/24, and the BFA in Fashion Styling reported 93% in 2024/25.

Nothing extraordinary here: you learn software employers can check, you build a portfolio under people who tell you what’s wrong with it, you get an internship through a relationship the school already has, and someone keeps answering your calls even after you graduate. The MA in Fashion Luxury and Brand Management shows it best: 100% placement in 2022/23, 89% in 2023/24, and 87% in 2024/25.

In today’s highly volatile job market, nothing guarantees you a job, but a fashion degree gets you looked at. Fashion designers themselves describe the field as competitive – 34% of O*NET respondents called it highly competitive. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for fashion designers, so most employers use it as a first filter before considering anything else. But according to O*NET, there’s a split: 51% of employers require a bachelor’s degree, and 44% require an associate’s. BLS also projects just 2% job growth for fashion designers between 2024 and 2034, slower than the average across all jobs, with about 2,300 openings per year, and most of those are replacing people who leave the field.

But school can give you access: employer relationships that grow into internships, and alumni already working at the companies you want to reach. Istituto Marangoni Miami’s published alumni roles include client relations at Hermes, omnichannel support at Bulgari Corporation of America, a role at LVMH, and an internship at Kering Eyewear – three of the industry’s biggest luxury groups.

Choosing what to do with your working life is one of the most difficult decisions anyone makes in their twenties, and it’s worth saying as is that a fashion graduate programs degree isn’t always the right part of it. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for fashion designers and interior designers, but not for retail roles, floral design, or merchandising jobs.

Before committing your time and money, consider these:

• The goal is unclear. The O*NET Interest Profiler, free from the US Department of Labor, takes about 20 minutes and matches your answers against more than 900 occupations. While it’s not a 100% guarantee you’ll get your dream job, it’s still worth 20 minutes of your time.
• The skills are narrow and specific. A one-year vocational program costs $46,300, compared to $171,300 for a bachelor’s degree, and Istituto Marangoni Miami reported 100% employment for its 2024/25 vocational Fashion Styling and Interior Design graduates.
• The cost isn’t clear. If the earnings premium in your intended role won’t recover the total within a decade, the number is telling you something.