New York, December 13, 2025
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has been ranked the world’s top fashion school for 2025 by CEOWORLD magazine, underscoring the institution’s leadership in fashion education. The ranking was announced this month, highlighting FIT’s strong industry alignment and global influence in New York City.
Ranking Methodology and Top Schools
CEOWORLD’s 2025 fashion school rankings are determined by seven weighted metrics, including perceived global brand influence (20%), recruiter responses (20%), employers’ feedback (10%), job placement rate (10%), admission eligibility (10%), specialization (10%), and academic reputation (20%). These criteria collectively generate a comprehensive score out of 100 for each institution.
FIT secured the top position, followed by Parsons School of Design in second place, and Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design ranking third. The top ten list also features prominent institutions like the London College of Fashion (UK), ESMOD in France, Central Saint Martins (UK), and Polimoda (Italy), reflecting a diverse international presence across the fashion education sector.[2][3]
Significance of U.S. and Global Fashion Education Landscape
This ranking reinforces U.S. dominance in fashion education, with the top three schools all based in the United States. FIT benefits from its affiliation with the State University of New York (SUNY) system, extensive industry connections in New York City, and a notable alumni network that includes major designers such as Calvin Klein and Michael Kors.[3][7]
European institutions also maintain a strong presence, capturing six of the top ten positions, illustrating the global competition within the field. Schools in the UK, France, and Italy contribute significantly to training fashion professionals, alongside schools from other regions like Japan’s Bunka Fashion College and the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in the U.S.[3]
Employment Outcomes and Industry Relevance
FIT’s emphasis on practical, industry-aligned training translates into strong career prospects for its graduates. Some programs boast in-field job placement rates exceeding 75%, with recruiter and employer feedback underscoring FIT’s effectiveness in preparing students for careers across design, marketing, and fashion business sectors.[2][5]
While CEOWORLD’s specialized fashion ranking places FIT at the pinnacle, broader academic assessments position it solidly though not at the absolute top tier. For instance, the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Arts and Design) rank FIT between 151-200 globally and within the 17-38 range in the U.S.[4][5]
Contextualizing FIT’s Ranking within Broader Evaluations
Other evaluations such as EduRank 2025 note FIT’s position at 2,687th worldwide and 683rd in the United States overall but highlight stronger performance in alumni impact (#733 globally).[1] Additionally, College Factual 2025 identifies FIT as a top national choice for fashion design programs.[8]
Implications for Prospective Students and Industry Stakeholders
This CEOWORLD ranking highlights FIT’s role in shaping future leaders in the fashion industry through a balanced combination of academic rigor and practical relevance. As global fashion continues to evolve, institutions like FIT serve as critical engines in developing talent capable of meeting industry demands worldwide.[2][3][6]