Art Center College of Design vs Fashion Institute of Technology

Art Center College of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology, two renowned institutions in the realm of art and design, offer distinct educational experiences. Art Center, located in Pasadena, California, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 15%, while FIT, situated in the heart of New York City, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 20%. Both institutions offer a diverse range of programs, with Art Center excelling in Transportation Design, Entertainment Arts, and Illustration, while FIT is known for its strengths in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, and Jewelry Design. The student bodies at these institutions reflect their unique locations, with Art Center attracting a larger proportion of male students (60%) compared to FIT's predominantly female student body (75%). While Art Center boasts a higher graduation rate of 85%, FIT's rate of 75% is still commendable. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more,

	Art Center College of Design	Fashion Institute of Technology
Overview
Location	Pasadena, California	New York, New York
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	86.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	75.6%	51.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $100
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	982	4,706
Total number of admissions given out	742	2,432
Admitted students who chose to enroll	269	1,262
Yield rate	36.3%	51.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$72,066	In state: $38,163 Out of state: $48,743
Average net price	$50,420	$8,637
Tuition	$47,334	In state: $5,290 Out of state: $15,870
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $21,200 Meal plan: $5,800
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	64.0% Average amount $17,667	53.0% Average amount $8,521
Students receiving federal student loan	39.0% Average amount $5,367	29.0% Average amount $5,268
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $38,675	4.0% Average amount $14,663

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,028 Men 41.7% Women 58.3%	7,908 Men 16.7% Women 83.3%
Graduate students	291 Men 42.6% Women 57.4%	242 Men 14.9% Women 85.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	41.0%
International students	45.4%	10.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	2,200
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New York New Jersey California Florida Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Visual & Performing Arts Engineering Technologies Communications Technology Architecture Computer and Information Science	Visual & Performing Arts Business Communication and Journalism Family and Consumer Sciences Communications Technology
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	75.9%	82.1%
Dropout rate	9.8%	8.5%
Transferred out	8.6%	8.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,017 Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: $57,513 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,536 Year 2: $20,140 Year 3: $27,282 Architectural Sciences and Technology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,380 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,126 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: N/A Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,973 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: N/A Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,061 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $21,685 Year 2: $20,824 Year 3: N/A Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $11,851 Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $17,249 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,667 Year 2: $45,889 Year 3: $53,713 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,868 Year 2: $42,458 Year 3: $52,154 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,104 Year 2: $41,689 Year 3: $51,045 Apparel and Textiles (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,008 Year 2: $43,638 Year 3: $49,445 Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,289 Year 2: $41,076 Year 3: $47,750 Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $25,549 Year 2: $29,374 Year 3: $43,094 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $19,884 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $40,670 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $34,526 Year 3: $38,223 Design and Applied Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $18,128 Year 2: $17,461 Year 3: $35,215 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $21,754 Year 2: $22,329 Year 3: $33,231

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary areas of focus at ArtCenter College of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)?

ArtCenter College of Design excels in transportation design, entertainment design, and fine art, emphasizing conceptual thinking and innovation across various design disciplines. FIT, on the other hand, is renowned for its fashion design, business, marketing, and related fields within the fashion and creative industries, offering a more industry-focused and practical approach.
How do the campus environments and locations differ between ArtCenter and FIT?

ArtCenter has two campuses in Pasadena, California, offering a more secluded and design-centric environment with a strong sense of community. FIT is located in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, providing students with direct access to the fashion industry, museums, and a vibrant urban experience.
What are the typical class sizes and student-faculty ratios at each institution?

ArtCenter generally has smaller class sizes, fostering close interaction between students and faculty. The student-faculty ratio is around 10:1. FIT also maintains relatively small class sizes, especially in design programs, with a student-faculty ratio of approximately 16:1, ensuring personalized attention.
How do the tuition costs and financial aid options compare between ArtCenter and FIT?

ArtCenter's tuition is significantly higher than FIT's, reflecting its private institution status and specialized programs. Both institutions offer financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. FIT, being a public institution, offers more affordable tuition, especially for in-state residents of New York.
What types of career services and internship opportunities are available at ArtCenter and FIT?

Both ArtCenter and FIT provide robust career services, including portfolio reviews, career counseling, and job placement assistance. ArtCenter emphasizes internships in design studios and entertainment companies, particularly in Southern California. FIT leverages its New York City location to offer extensive internship opportunities within the fashion industry, retail, and related businesses.
What is the application process like for ArtCenter and FIT, and what are the portfolio requirements?

Both institutions require a strong portfolio showcasing your artistic abilities and potential. ArtCenter places a heavy emphasis on the portfolio's conceptual strength and innovative ideas. FIT's portfolio requirements vary by program but generally focus on demonstrating technical skills and a clear understanding of design principles relevant to the chosen field. Both require transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.
What are the key differences in the teaching philosophies at ArtCenter and FIT?

ArtCenter's teaching philosophy emphasizes conceptual problem-solving, experimentation, and pushing creative boundaries. FIT focuses on practical skills, industry-relevant knowledge, and preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce within the fashion and related industries.
What are some notable alumni from ArtCenter College of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology?

ArtCenter boasts alumni who have become influential designers in automotive, entertainment, and product design, such as J Mays (former Chief Creative Officer at Ford) and Syd Mead (visual futurist). FIT's alumni include renowned fashion designers like Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Norma Kamali, as well as prominent figures in fashion business and media.
Which school is better for someone interested in transportation design?

ArtCenter College of Design is widely considered the superior choice for transportation design. Its program is highly regarded and has a long history of producing leading automotive designers.
Which school is better for someone interested in fashion merchandising?

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is the better choice for fashion merchandising. It offers a comprehensive program with strong industry connections and a focus on the business aspects of fashion.
Do both schools offer graduate programs?

Yes, both ArtCenter and FIT offer graduate programs. ArtCenter's graduate programs focus on advanced design studies, while FIT's graduate programs cater to specialized areas within fashion, business, and design.
How do the schools compare in terms of diversity and inclusion?

Both ArtCenter and FIT strive to create diverse and inclusive learning environments. FIT, located in New York City, generally has a more diverse student body due to its location and public institution status. ArtCenter is actively working to increase diversity and inclusion within its student population and curriculum.

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