Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Institute of Technology — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fashion Institute of Technology at a Glance
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a public college and fashion school under the State University of New York, in New York City. It focuses on art, business, design, mass communication, and technology connected to the fashion industry. It was founded in 1944.
1944
82 years old
8,158
7,880 undergrad · 278 grad
Identity
How to Apply to Fashion Institute of Technology
Official admissions pageFee waiver
Is Fashion Institute of Technology Worth It?
Fashion Institute of Technology delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $19,095/year, it's priced 6% below average, while graduates go on to earn $62,696 — 17% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 82% graduation rate means roughly 18% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Median student debt of $12,000 is manageable at just 19% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Fashion Institute of Technology compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #12 of 48 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #4 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #5 | CUNY Lehman College | 100 | $3,148 | $58,013 |
| #6 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #12 | Fashion Institute of Technology | 67 | $19,095 | $62,696 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Fashion Institute of Technology's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in NY.
Best Programs at Fashion Institute of Technology
The highest-earning program at Fashion Institute of Technology is Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations at $43,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Graphic Communications at $15,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations graduate from Fashion Institute of Technology earns $43,200, while a Graphic Communications graduate earns $15,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Graphic Communications.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,095/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $43,200 | $43,200 | $21,500 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $39,900 | $39,900 | $21,696 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $39,100 | $39,100 | $21,250 |
| Marketing | $39,100 | $39,100 | $18,047 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $38,200 | $38,200 | $23,278 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $35,500 | $35,500 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,900 | $19,900 | $22,500 |
| Graphic Communications | $15,200 | $15,200 | $25,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- New York, NY
- Student Body
- 7,637 students
- Admission Rate
- 60%
- Graduation Rate
- 82%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,095
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,696
- Median Student Debt
- $12,000