SherifThe title of best fashion school in the world depends on whether you prioritize industry influence, alumni success, or a specific discipline like design versus business. This article pulls from sources which surveyed over 250,000 industry professionals across 180 countries.
The following list ranks the ten best fashion schools based on that data, alongside insights from Vogue Business.
Top 10 Best Fashion Schools In The World
1. Parsons School of Design (New York, USA)
Parsons School of Design took the top position worldwide in the CEOWORLD current rankings, with a score of 97.43. The school is a global leader in fashion education and is frequently cited as one of the most influential institutions in the industry.
Its alumni include some of the most recognizable names in fashion, and it remains a top choice for students seeking a career in design.
2. Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, USA)
FIT ranked second globally, just behind Parsons with a score of 97.39. FIT has been ranked number one in the world four times by CEOWORLD in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025, and its alumni include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Norma Kamali.
It is widely considered one of the most prestigious and comprehensive fashion schools in the world.
3. London College of Fashion (London, UK)
London College of Fashion, part of the University of the Arts London, was ranked number one in Europe and the UK, and third globally in the CEOWORLD rankings.
The school is known for its industry connections, and a higher percentage of its graduates found or co-found their own businesses than from any other UK university. Notable alumni include Jimmy Choo, Christopher Bailey, and Jonathan Anderson.
4. Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design (Philadelphia, USA)
Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design ranked fourth globally in the CEOWORLD rankings with a score of 96.12. The college is part of a co-op education model that gives students extensive real-world work experience before graduation, which contributes to its strong reputation among employers.
5. Central Saint Martins (London, UK)
Central Saint Martins, also part of the University of the Arts London, ranked fifth globally. Vogue Business describes it as hosting probably the most influential fashion department in the world. Its alumni include Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Stella McCartney, and it remains a legendary training ground for avant-garde designers.
6. ESMOD (Paris, France)
ESMOD is the world’s oldest fashion school, founded in Paris in 1841, and ranked sixth globally. It is the highest-ranked French fashion school, with 18 campuses across 12 countries and more than 10,000 graduates working in luxury houses. Notable alumni include Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
7. Royal College of Art (London, UK)
The Royal College of Art ranked seventh globally in the CEOWORLD rankings with a score of 94.04. The RCA is a postgraduate-only institution and is widely considered the leading art and design university in the world. Its fashion program focuses on advanced creative practice and research.
8. Polimoda (Florence, Italy)
Polimoda ranked eighth globally in 2026 with a score of 93.96. The school is known for its close connection to Italian artisans, manufacturers, and luxury brands, with almost every course led or shaped by an industry figure. Alumni include Lucie and Luke Meier, former creative directors of Jil Sander, and Francesco Risso, former creative director of Marni.
9. PCA – Paris College of Art (Paris, France)
PCA ranked ninth globally in the CEOWORLD current rankings with a score of 93.89. The school offers a range of fashion programs in English and is known for its intimate class sizes and strong focus on individual creative development. It is part of the Paris American Academy network.
10. Fashion Design Institut (Germany)
The Fashion Design Institut ranked tenth globally this year with a score of 92.5. It is the highest-ranked German fashion school and is known for its focus on practical design skills and strong industry connections within Germany’s fashion and textile sector.
Comparison Table
| No. | School | Location | 2026 CEOWORLD Rank | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parsons School of Design | New York, USA | 1 | Top-ranked globally with an elite network of design alumni |
| 2 | Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) | New York, USA | 2 | Ranked No. 1 globally in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 |
| 3 | London College of Fashion | London, United Kingdom | 3 | Leading fashion school in Europe and the UK with a strong entrepreneurship focus |
| 4 | Antoinette Westphal College | Philadelphia, USA | 4 | Renowned for its cooperative education (co-op) model |
| 5 | Central Saint Martins | London, United Kingdom | 5 | Home to one of the world’s most influential fashion departments |
| 6 | ESMOD | Paris, France | 6 | World’s oldest fashion school, founded in 1841 |
| 7 | Royal College of Art | London, United Kingdom | 7 | Postgraduate-only institution and a leading global art university |
| 8 | Polimoda | Florence, Italy | 8 | Strong connections to Italian craftsmanship and the fashion industry |
| 9 | Paris College of Art (PCA) | Paris, France | 9 | English-language programs with small, intimate class sizes |
| 10 | Fashion Design Institut | Germany | 10 | Leading German fashion school with a strong practical training focus |
Key Context
The CEOWORLD ranking is based on seven weighted indicators: perceived global brand influence at 20 percent, recruiter responses at 20 percent, academic reputation at 20 percent, employer feedback at 10 percent, job placement rate at 10 percent, admission eligibility at 10 percent, and specialization at 10 percent.
Vogue Business also names Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, which produced Yohji Yamamoto and Junya Watanabe, and La Cambre in Brussels as top-tier institutions, though they ranked lower on the CEOWORLD list.
Tuition varies enormously: Polimoda charges 18,000 euros per year for BA and 28,000 euros for MA, while La Cambre in Brussels costs just 374 to 1,194 euros per year for EU students.
Closing
The world’s best fashion schools are concentrated in New York, London, Paris, and Florence, with Parsons and FIT leading the CEOWORLD current rankings. While rankings provide a useful guide, the best school for you depends on your specific goals, whether that is design, business, or a particular aesthetic tradition.
Note that all rankings and fees are subject to change, so it is always best to verify current details directly with each institution.