The Fashion Institute of Technology - FIT is part of the State University of New York University - SUNY.
A world-renowned fashion school in a prime location, FIT offers a rigorous curriculum in the creative arts, interwoven with a liberal arts education.
The school’s mission is “FIT prepares students for professional excellence in design and business through rigorous and adaptable academic programs, experiential learning, and innovative partnerships. A premier public institution in New York City, FIT fosters creativity, career focus, and a global perspective and educates its students to embrace inclusiveness, sustainability, and a sense of community.”
I visited FIT last month (September 2025) and was impressed by the expert and friendly admissions presentation, swag available to students and parents, and the quality of their admissions brochure, which is well worthy of one of the best fashion schools in the world.
FIT is located between 7th and 8th Avenues on 27th Street in Manhattan’s Chelsea district; it sits in the heart of the city.
The school is inaugurating a new campus on 28th Street this fall, its North Academic Building. These new facilities - the first academic addition to the campus in 50 years - will provide state-of-the-art opportunities for design and innovation.
Students can walk to any of FIT’s buildings on 27th St. through passageways, so that if they wanted to stay in the building and never leave, they potentially could! There is no excuse to miss class in the winter.
The academic facilities hold many different classrooms of all sizes, as well as state-of-the art laboratories.
FIT students can also take classes in English at Polimoda in Florence, the famous school founded by the Ferragamo Foundation (which I visited in 2024). These courses count towards FIT credits, and are available to Fashion Business Management and Fashion Design majors. Students taking advantage of this program will pay FIT tuition and fees; FIT also offers competitive scholarships - up to $10,000 - for students enrolled full-time while abroad. Awards are based on an essay, recommendations, GPA, and financial need.
According to SUNY’s website, “SUNY Korea was established in March 2012 as the first American university in Korea; it is also the first global campus of SUNY outside of the U.S. Currently, FIT and Stony Brook University are offering programs on campus.”
FIT Korea has three intakes for spring and three for fall, but non-Korean and/or Fashion Design students should apply by the second intake.
At FIT Korea, students have the same AA curriculum as NYC FIT students and may then go to NY for their BA degree.
SUNY Korea offers a residential campus experience, with campus-wide events, and a residence hall program. Under the Residential College (RC) are 5 SUNY Korea Houses that are made up of 4-6 floor communities. The 5 SUNY Korea Houses’ names (Key, Light, Exemplar, Inspirer, and Pioneer) imply the philosophy, value, and spirit of SUNY Korea.
The Songdo FIT campus also boasts a Museum of Modern Costume, with ongoing exhibits. The museum supports learning on campus.
Photo from the SUNY Korea website