Organizer Information
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a public college of the State University of New York (SUNY), located in New York City. The institution offers undergraduate education through the School of Art and Design, Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology, and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, alongside seven graduate programs through the School of Graduate Studies. FIT’s academic offerings span art, design, fashion, media, business, technology, and related fields.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Fashion Institute of Technology
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; Graduate
- Degrees Offered: AAS; BFA; BS; MA; MFA; MPS
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Film & Media, Photography, Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Fashion, Textile Studies, Art History, Museum Studies, Exhibition Design, Art Market Studies, Business, Marketing, and related creative disciplines
- Relevant Programs: Film and Media; Fine Arts; Photography and Related Media; Animation, Interactive Media and Game Design; Art History and Museum Professions; Art Market Studies; Exhibition and Experience Design; Illustration; Fashion Design; Fashion and Textile Studies; Global Fashion Management; Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management, among others.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications are available through SUNY; graduate applications open November 1 for the published 2026 cycle.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate priority deadlines: 1 January for fall and 1 October for spring; graduate priority deadline: 15 January 2026; general graduate deadline: 15 March 2026.
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring entry are available for applicable programs.
- Application Fee: $50 undergraduate; $100 graduate
- Tuition: From $8,685/semester for out-of-state undergraduate associate study; $11,793/semester for out-of-state graduate study
- Funding: FIT scholarships, grants, loans, and other financial-aid programs are available to eligible students; international students are not eligible for FIT financial aid.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- FIT offers programs across art and design, fashion, film and media, photography, animation, illustration, interior and spatial design, textile studies, art history and museum professions, exhibition design, art-market studies, business, marketing, and related creative industries. The undergraduate catalog includes Film and Media, Fine Arts, Photography and Related Media, Animation, Interactive Media and Game Design, Art History and Museum Professions, and numerous design and fashion disciplines.
- Portfolio evaluation is explicitly required for admission to Film and Media and majors in the School of Art and Design at the undergraduate level. Business and Technology applicants may not submit a portfolio.
- At graduate level, eligibility and creative requirements vary by program. FIT states that requirements should be reviewed for the specific graduate program.
General Eligibility
- FIT accepts both domestic and international applicants. Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for their selected degree level and major. Applicants to bachelor’s programs must hold an FIT AAS degree, an equivalent degree, or 60 appropriate credits from a four-year bachelor’s program, together with the required prerequisites and other major-specific requirements.
- Graduate applicants must meet the requirements of their selected master’s program. FIT’s MPS programs are designed for professionals with at least three years of full-time, industry-related work experience.
- International applicants must satisfy additional credential-evaluation, English-language, and immigration requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate requirements depend on the entry level. Bachelor’s applicants must hold an AAS or equivalent qualification, or 60 appropriate credits from a four-year bachelor’s program, and must complete applicable prerequisites and required art or specialized coursework.
- Graduate applicants must hold, or expect to hold, a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. International graduate applicants educated outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation, and the foreign degree must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants must submit a current TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test score. Minimum scores include IELTS Academic 6.5, PTE 53, and Duolingo 110. For TOEFL iBT, FIT specifies a minimum of 80 for exams taken before 21 January 2026 and a minimum total score of 4, with at least 4 in each section, for exams taken on or after that date.
- Graduate applicants whose English proficiency is not otherwise waived must submit TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE, or Duolingo scores. The graduate minimums are TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.5, PTE 53, or Duolingo 110. A waiver applies to applicants holding a bachelor’s or higher degree from the United States or a country where English is both the primary spoken language and primary language of instruction.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate — SUNY application | $50 per college choice |
| Graduate | $100 |
| International application fee listed by FIT | $120 per student |
The undergraduate $50 fee is the SUNY application fee. FIT’s 2026–27 fee schedule separately lists a $120 international application fee; applicants should verify which charge applies to their application category before payment.
Tuition
| Study Level / Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate AAS — NY City/State resident | $2,895 | Per semester | Student activity, technology, health and other applicable fees |
| Undergraduate AAS — out-of-state | $8,685 | Per semester | Student activity, technology, health and other applicable fees |
| Undergraduate BFA/BS — NY City/State resident | $3,585 | Per semester | Student activity, technology, health and other applicable fees |
| Undergraduate BFA/BS — out-of-state | $10,846 | Per semester | Student activity, technology, health and other applicable fees |
| Graduate — NY City/State resident | $5,771 | Per semester | Graduate matriculation and other applicable fees |
| Graduate — out-of-state | $11,793 | Per semester | Graduate matriculation and other applicable fees |
These rates apply to the 2026–27 academic year. F-1 students are not eligible for New York State resident tuition. Graduate students also have a $400 resident or $600 nonresident graduate matriculation fee per semester.
FIT also lists a $3,807 annual health-insurance charge and other program, technology, student-activity, laboratory, and course-specific fees. Full-time students may be exempt from the listed domestic health-insurance charge when they provide acceptable evidence of other coverage.
Funding & Financial Support
- FIT offers institutional scholarships and grants, federal and state aid, loans, and work-study opportunities to eligible students. The FIT Foundation Scholarship and FIT Foundation Grant are among the institutional undergraduate awards.
- The School of Graduate Studies offers the Dean’s Graduate Fellowship, a one-year, nonrenewable $5,000 award for eligible applicants who meet the priority deadline.
- International students are not eligible for FIT financial aid. FIT states that international students may explore alternative/private loans, generally subject to lender requirements and often requiring a qualified U.S. co-signer.
University Services & Academic Support
- FIT provides academic advising, the Writing and Speaking Studio, Academic Skills Tutoring Center, Career and Internship Center, IT support, and the Gladys Marcus Library. The library holds more than 300,000 print, non-print, and digital resources.
- International Student Services supports international degree students with immigration matters, transition to New York and FIT, orientation, and international-student programming.
- The Career and Internship Center provides career and internship services, including career planning and access to its Career Services Job Bank for eligible students and FIT graduates.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants submit the SUNY application, academic documents, an admissions essay, and applicable supplemental materials. Applicants to Film and Media and School of Art and Design majors must submit a portfolio; portfolio submission is handled after FIT receives and processes the SUNY application.
- International undergraduate applicants must provide credential evaluations for qualifying education completed outside the United States and meet the applicable English-language requirements. F-1 applicants must provide FIT’s International Student Financial Statement after admission for I-20 issuance.
- Graduate applicants submit an online application, application fee, official transcripts or international credential evaluation where applicable, and program-specific supporting materials. Depending on the program, requirements include recommendation letters, CV/resume, written responses, portfolio, and recorded or live interviews.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Available: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate Fall Priority Application Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Undergraduate Fall Supplemental Materials Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Undergraduate Spring Priority Application Deadline: 1 October 2026
- Undergraduate Spring Supplemental Materials Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Graduate Application Available: 1 November 2025
- Graduate Priority Deadline: 15 January 2026
- Graduate General Consideration Deadline: 15 March 2026
- Graduate Application Deadline for Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management: 15 March 2026
- Fall 2026 First Day of Classes: 31 August 2026
- Spring 2027 First Day of Classes: 25 January 2027
Location
Fashion Institute of Technology — New York City, United States
Additional Details
FIT’s undergraduate portfolio requirement specifically includes Film and Media, in addition to majors in the School of Art and Design. Portfolio requirements are major-specific and include a $10 SlideRoom submission charge.
For international applicants, credential evaluation and immigration documentation are important additional requirements. F-1 students must demonstrate financial ability through FIT’s International Student Financial Statement after admission.
The published graduate admissions cycle covers the entering fall 2026 class; graduate programs may differ in their willingness to consider applications after 15 March. Applicants should follow the deadline and requirements for their specific program.