With the entertainment industry evolving rapidly, the demand for skilled costume designers continues to soar. From film and television to theater and even video games, the artistry of costume design plays a pivotal role in bringing stories to life on screen and stage. Aspiring designers seeking to hone their craft and delve into the intricacies of costume creation have a myriad of options when it comes to choosing the right educational institution. From prestigious universities to specialized arts colleges, here are the top ten costume design schools of 2024, as curated by THR:
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) – Valencia, California
- Notable Alumni: Edith Head, Bob Mackie
- Tuition (BFA/MFA): $54,400
- Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Notable Alumni: Ann Roth, Eduardo Castro, Daniel Orlandi
- Tuition (BFA): $64,596, (MFA): $37,000
- David Geffen School of Drama at Yale – New Haven, Connecticut
- Notable Alumni: Tom Broecker, Donna Zakowska, Susan Hilferty
- Tuition: None
- National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) – Sydney, Australia
- Notable Alumni: Catherine Martin
- Tuition (Bachelor’s): $16,560
- NYU Tisch School of the Arts – New York
- Notable Alumni: Gregg Barnes, Mark Bridges, Paul Tazewell
- Tuition (MFA): $73,698
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Savannah, Georgia
- Notable Alumni: Holly Waddington, Janie Bryant, Trish Summerville
- Tuition (BFA): $41,130, (MFA): $42,120
- UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television – Los Angeles
- Notable Alumni: Rebecca Guzzi, Alice Garland, Alexa Newman, Amy Higdon
- Tuition (BFA): $18,197 in state, $50,771 out of state; (MFA): $34,284 in state, $46,529 out of state
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) – Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Notable Alumni: Paul Tazewell, Kristen Mendez
- Tuition (BFA): $6,497 in state, $22,231 out of state; (MFA): $9,696 in state, $24,399 out of state
- University of Southern California (USC) – Los Angeles
- Notable Alumni: Sara Fox
- Tuition (BFA): $66,640
- Wimbledon College of Arts – London
- Notable Collaborations: Victoria and Albert Museum
- Specializations: Costume Design, Costume Interpretation
These esteemed institutions offer a comprehensive curriculum encompassing everything from traditional costume-making techniques to cutting-edge digital design. With opportunities for hands-on experience, mentorship from industry veterans, and access to state-of-the-art facilities, students embark on a journey to become the next generation of visionary costume designers, ready to make their mark in the world of entertainment.
