Fashion Design · Illinois

Fashion Design colleges in Illinois

CampusPin lists 116 U.S. colleges in Illinois that offer Fashion Design programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Fashion Design teaches the craft of conceiving and constructing apparel and accessories, suited to students who pair visual creativity with hands-on technical and production skills.

Schools in Illinois that offer Fashion Design

Fashion Design programs in Illinois: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 116 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

116

Public / private

21 / 29

Universities / 2-year

32 / 18

Cities represented

33

In-state tuition range

$3,180–$55,704

Median in-state tuition

$18,807

Lowest published in-state tuition

Elgin Community College

$3,180

Most selective

Chicago State University

41% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

Chamberlain University-Illinois

28,871 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Fashion Design program

  • Fashion sketching and illustration
  • Pattern making and draping
  • Sewing and garment construction techniques
  • Textiles, fibers, and material selection
  • Color theory and design principles
  • Computer-aided design (CAD) for fashion
  • Trend research, history of fashion, and the business of fashion
  • Portfolio development and a senior collection

Where a Fashion Design degree can lead

  • Fashion designers
  • Apparel / Technical Designer
  • Pattern Maker
  • Textile Designer
  • Fashion Merchandiser / Buyer
  • Costume Designer

Typical pay: $80,690 median for fashion designers (BLS, 2024)

A Fashion Design major, usually a bachelor's degree, covers sketching and fashion illustration, pattern making, draping, sewing and garment construction, textiles and materials, color and design theory, and computer-aided design (CAD). Programs typically include the study of fashion history, trend research, and the business of fashion, and most culminate in a portfolio and a senior collection that students present to faculty and industry reviewers. Internships with design houses, manufacturers, or retailers are common.

Graduates develop, design, and produce clothing, footwear, and accessories, working through the full cycle from concept sketches and material selection to fittings and production specs. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for fashion designers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; a graduate degree is generally not required, and a strong portfolio carries significant weight in hiring. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2% employment growth for fashion designers from 2024 to 2034, and reports a 2024 median annual wage of $80,690 for the occupation.

Fashion Design in other states

Other majors in Illinois

Find more Fashion Design schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 116+ Fashion Design programs in Illinois by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

Search Fashion Design schools in IllinoisAbout the Fashion Design majorAll colleges in Illinois

Related majors in Illinois