California Fashion Schools and Colleges

California is the most populous state in the U.S., and the third largest (Alaska and Texas are bigger). Over a quarter of a million students graduate from a California college or university each year, and many of these students quickly find jobs in the state's robust and varied economy.

The film and TV production industries are one of the mainstays of California's economy; Los Angeles and Hollywood are the places to be for aspiring directors, actors, set designers, etc. Excellent opportunities abound for all types of artists in this state, since financial aid, quality apprenticeships, and supporting grants are widely available.

National Programs: The following schools are accepting students from across the country.

The Art Institutes

The Art Institutes

Bachelor's | Associate's | Certificate | Diploma

The Art Institutes offers associate, bachelor and certificate programs that specialize in fashion design, marketing and merchandising. With over 40 locations in major cities throughout North America, you’ll get the competitive edge to succeed as a creative professional - in your field of interest!

Select a Campus: Arlington, VA | Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Charleston, NC | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Decatur, GA | Denver, CO | Detroit, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Houston, TX | Houston, TX (North) | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Los Angeles, CA | Miami, FL | Minneapolis, MN | New York, NY | Nashville, TN | Orange County, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Pittsburgh, PA | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | San Bernadino, CA | San Diego | San Francisco, CA | Schaumburg, IL | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Sterling, VA | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Vancouver, BC | York, PA

» Also learn about The Art Institutes ONLINE PROGRAMS





Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA US

About: Founded in 1929, Academy of Art University offers AA, BA, BFA, MA, MFA and M.Arch degrees and portfolio development and certificates in fourteen diverse art and design majors. The Academy offers a unique environment of working professionals who are dedicated to passing on their knowledge and expertise to the artists and designers of tomorrow. Not only is Academy of Art University's San Francisco location both beautiful and exciting, but it is strategic in its proximity to the centers of many creative industries. The Academy's Career Services Department offers assistance to students and alumni in establishing connections with these companies. Academy graduates have been hired by prestigious firms worldwide, including Disney, Sega, Pixar, Hewlett-Packard & Hallmark Cards. Request Information



About: Westwood College offers a variety of academic programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. Each program is designed with cooperation and guidance from business leaders and our own Program Advisory Committees to ensure that the curriculum and learning experiences prepare graduates for success in their chosen careers.

The Inland Empire Campus, located in Upland, California on the western edge of Southern California's Inland Empire, features an all-new facility that was designed and built specifically for Westwood College. The design, layout and features of the facility are the product of an extensive research project that evaluated the unique requirements of Westwood's students, faculty, and staff. As a result, the Inland Empire campus provides a fully functional environment that meets the specific needs of career-focused education. Request Information



About: At the International Academy of Design and Technology - Sacramento, students can enjoy an interactive learning experience in programs such as fashion design and marketing, visual communication, and interior design. Experienced instructors lead exciting discussions with small classes that can accommodate both traditional and non-traditional students. As a career-oriented institution, IADT is committed to providing academic excellence and is focused on teaching professional skills to help ensure students can launch successful careers after graduation. Request Information



The Art Institute of California - Hollywood

Los Angeles, CA US
(800) 557-7216

About: Prepare yourself for a creative career at The Art Institute of California – Hollywood (formerly California Design College), one of over 40 Art Institutes located in major cities across North America. Here, you'll get the competitive edge to succeed as a creative professional - in your field of interest! Request Information



The Art Institute of California - San Francisco

San Francisco, CA US
(800) 557-7216

About: The Art Institutes offer real-world education programs in web design, multimedia, graphic design and other hot computer/IT related programs. Here, you'll get the competitive edge to succeed as a creative professional - in your field of interest! Request Information



About: The Art Institute of California — Sunnyvale is located in Santa Clara County, California, an area that makes up the world's premiere technology corridor, Silicon Valley. Sunnyvale's local population is only about 150,000, but the surrounding region is home to well over 2 million people. Students are only an hour's drive from the Pacific Ocean and Sunnyvale is also close to California's historic redwood forests. The city is bordered by the San Francisco bay to the north, Mountain View to the west, Santa Clara and San Jose to the east, and Cupertino to the south. The city is ranked as one of the safest in the country by the Morgan Quitno Safest City Award program and students enjoy a year-long mild climate. Request Information



California College of the Arts

San Francisco, CA US

About: An arts education has never been more valuable than it is today. In these extraordinary times, visual communication has an increasingly important influence on the global community. Artists, architects, and designers are pivotal to the very shape of our future. At CCA we believe art can make a positive difference in the world and that learning about the world will contribute to the expansion and deepening of the arts. We offer an interdisciplinary curriculum that balances tradition with innovation; that combines theory and practice; and that connects art, design, and architecture with each other and with the important issues of our society. At CCA, your studies will be both broad and deep, and you will discover and rediscover the relevance of everything you have learned through daily application. The Bay Area is bursting with cultural energy, and the CCA campuses in Oakland and San Francisco offer lively, diverse environments in which to interact with others who share your passion. Our world-class faculty of practicing artists, architects, and designers are dedicated to providing you with the tools, knowledge, and resources that will help you find your own path to success. We invite you to join CCA and be part of this dynamic community! Request Information



Art Academy of San Diego

San Diego, CA US

About: Art Academy of San Diego (formerly Arts College International) is a small, private, non-accredited fine arts school that provides continuing arts education for adults. We offer a wide variety of over 50 hands-on classes and workshops in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, crafts and home decorating, for the beginner and professional artist alike. Taught by professional artists, these classes will provide you with the creative outlet you've been seeking. Select from 7 and 14 week classes and one-day workshops.\n\nTo learn more about these fun and informative classes, call 619-231-3900 for a free catalog, visit our website or stop by for a tour and start expressing yourself today! It's a wonderfully supportive environment. It is our objective and Mission to provide a unique learning environment in a quality art program by exposing people to art appreciation and art creation while giving them the tools for a lifetime of involvement in the arts. We truly believe in supporting the artist in all of us. Request Information



About: At FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, art meets commerce. In this very different kind of college, students, educators, industry leaders and the public come together in a vibrant, energetic community. FIDM has become a world leader in educating for the Fashion, Graphics, Interior Design, and Entertainment industries since our founding in Los Angeles in 1969. Within FIDM's intense, focused curriculum, we offer nine distinct majors and 14 programs of study forged by academic excellence and industry connections. From our four California campuses, FIDM graduates enter the global marketplace as highly trained professionals. Our current 5,500 full-time students will join an international network of 30,000 alumni who are marrying business and creativity producing spectactular results. Request Information



About: Lorenzo de'Medici is the largest international school in Italy, offering a wide variety of studio arts, humanities and language studies. Located in the historic center of Florence, studio arts include: painting, drawing, sculpture, fashion design, photography, graphic design, interior design, restoration, printmaking. Request Information



Natural Fiber Fair Mateel Community Center

Alderpoint, CA US

About: The School of Art and Design at San Jose State University offers graduate programs including the MA in Art (Art History, Design (Industrial and Animation/Illustration), Digital Media for Art History and Education) and Art Education as well as a MFA in Art (Digital Media Art, Photography, Pictorial Art and Spatial Art). For current application, program, and faculty information, see the School website. Request Information



About: The School of Art and Design at SJSU offers BA in Art degrees in Design Studies, Studio Practice, and Art History. BFA degrees are offered in Animation/Illustration, Digital Media Art, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Pictorial Art, and Spatial Art. A BS is offered in Industrial Design. Graduate Degrees include MA in Art History, Design, and Multimedia Computing, MFA degrees in Art include: Digital Media, Pictorial, and Spatial Art and Photography. Request Information



Shepherdess

San Diego, CA US