LIM College vs FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles

LIM College and FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles are two renowned institutions offering specialized education in fashion, business, and design. While both colleges share a commitment to excellence in their respective fields, they differ in several key aspects. LIM College boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. FIDM, on the other hand, has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. In terms of popular majors, LIM College offers a wider range of programs, including business administration, fashion merchandising, and interior design, while FIDM focuses primarily on fashion design and merchandising. Additionally, the student body demographics and graduation rates vary between the two institutions. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences in greater detail. Explore the table to discover which college aligns best with your academic goals and aspirations.

	FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles	LIM College
Overview
Location	Los Angeles, California	New York, New York
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (For Profit)	Private (For Profit)
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	89.0%	69.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	36.0%	84.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $25	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $40
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	1,490	1,157
Total number of admissions given out	536	975
Admitted students who chose to enroll	292	214
Yield rate	54.5%	21.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$56,368	$48,754
Average net price	$41,070	$38,301
Tuition	$31,275	$28,634
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $11,045	98.0% Average amount $11,167
Students receiving federal student loan	53.0% Average amount $5,615	59.0% Average amount $5,680
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $24,758	10.0% Average amount $24,241

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,724 Men 17.5% Women 82.5%	1,203 Men 11.1% Women 88.9%
Graduate students	40 Men 10.0% Women 90.0%	239 Men 6.7% Women 93.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	45.8%	N/A
International students	15.4%	9.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	268
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Texas Arizona Washington Colorado	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Visual & Performing Arts Family and Consumer Sciences	Business Communication and Journalism Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.8%	58.0%
Dropout rate	24.8%	40.5%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,481 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $44,494 Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $30,281 Year 2: $31,920 Year 3: $40,330 Design and Applied Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $25,542 Year 2: $27,478 Year 3: $32,523 Apparel and Textiles (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $22,239 Year 2: $30,988 Year 3: $31,406 Apparel and Textiles (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,078 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,424 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $16,169 Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: N/A Marketing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $28,231 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,288 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,642 Year 2: $43,575 Year 3: $54,005 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $40,755 Year 2: $44,971 Year 3: $53,130 Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,739 Year 2: $39,585 Year 3: $52,333 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,062 Year 2: $46,321 Year 3: $51,788 Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,027 Year 2: $45,215 Year 3: $50,801 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,248 Year 2: $43,863 Year 3: $49,129 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between LIM College and FIDM?

LIM College, located in New York City, focuses primarily on the business side of fashion, offering degrees in areas like fashion merchandising, marketing, and management. FIDM, with its main campus in Los Angeles, offers a broader range of programs encompassing both design and business, including fashion design, interior design, visual communication, and merchandise product development. LIM is more business-centric and located in a major business hub, while FIDM offers a wider array of creative programs and is located in a major entertainment and fashion hub.
Which college is better for someone interested in fashion design?

While LIM College offers programs related to the business aspects of fashion design, FIDM is generally considered a stronger choice for students specifically interested in fashion design itself. FIDM offers dedicated fashion design programs with a strong emphasis on creative development and technical skills. LIM's programs are more focused on the merchandising, marketing, and management aspects of the fashion industry.
Which college is better for someone interested in the business side of fashion?

LIM College is generally considered a stronger choice for students interested in the business side of fashion. Their curriculum is heavily focused on merchandising, marketing, management, and other business-related aspects of the fashion industry. While FIDM offers some business-related programs, LIM's specialization in this area provides a more concentrated and in-depth education.
Where are LIM College and FIDM located, and how does location impact the student experience?

LIM College is located in the heart of New York City, providing students with unparalleled access to internships, networking opportunities, and industry events within the fashion capital. FIDM's main campus is in Los Angeles, another major fashion and entertainment hub, offering similar opportunities but with a West Coast focus. The location of LIM provides a more business-oriented environment, while FIDM's location offers a blend of fashion, entertainment, and design influences.
What types of degrees do LIM College and FIDM offer?

LIM College primarily offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees focused on the business of fashion, such as Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, Management, and International Business. FIDM offers a wider range of degree options, including Associate of Arts, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees, covering both design and business disciplines like Fashion Design, Interior Design, Visual Communications, and Merchandise Product Development.
How do the internship opportunities compare between LIM College and FIDM?

Both LIM College and FIDM emphasize internships as a crucial part of their curriculum. LIM College, due to its location in New York City, offers extensive internship opportunities with major fashion brands, retailers, and businesses. FIDM, located in Los Angeles, also provides numerous internship opportunities, particularly within the West Coast fashion and entertainment industries. The specific types of internships available will vary depending on the student's major and interests, but both colleges have strong industry connections.
What is the general campus culture like at LIM College and FIDM?

LIM College, being a smaller institution focused on business, tends to have a close-knit and career-oriented campus culture. Students are highly focused on professional development and networking. FIDM, with its broader range of programs and larger student body, offers a more diverse and creative campus environment. There's a stronger emphasis on design and artistic expression alongside business principles.
How do the tuition costs compare between LIM College and FIDM?

Tuition costs can vary depending on the specific program and year. It's best to check the official websites of LIM College and FIDM for the most up-to-date tuition information. Generally, private colleges like LIM and FIDM can have similar tuition ranges, but factors like scholarships, financial aid, and program length can significantly impact the overall cost of attendance. Be sure to factor in the cost of living in New York City versus Los Angeles as well.
What are the admission requirements for LIM College and FIDM?

Admission requirements for both LIM College and FIDM typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (though many schools are test-optional), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. FIDM may also require a portfolio for design-related programs. It's essential to check the specific admission requirements on each college's website, as they may vary depending on the program and year.
Which college has a stronger alumni network?

Both LIM College and FIDM have established alumni networks within the fashion industry. LIM College's alumni network is particularly strong in the business and merchandising sectors, while FIDM's alumni network spans a broader range of creative and business roles. The strength of the alumni network can depend on the specific field of interest and the location of the job market.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

LIM College

FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles

LIM College

Berkeley College-Woodland Park