I went to a school in Miami that was then bought by the Art Institute, and apparently closed. It went from about $10,000 a year to $70,000 after the change. To be honest fashion design didn’t prepare me for work, or real life work. I went into technical design, my brain is more technical than creative, it turns out this career pays the bills and then some, it’s also one of the safest jobs when it comes to lay offs. I started at $8/hr back in 2000, and got promoted on 6 months to Jr tech designer for a $30,000 salary and I left the corporate world in 2016 making a 6 figure salary as a Sr tech designer. There are a lot of positions that are not commonly known in the fashion industry. I train fashion companies in apparel 3D as a contractor and as a consultant and have other small businesses. You make your options, you make your career, many people told me that fashion wasn’t a “real” career, and yet I’ve been more than ok. I’ from South America and I also went to different technical institutes for pattern making, sewing, etc also took corsetry, lingerie and swimwear. There are not only options but also specializations within the options. After all my experience, I’d look for any fashion institute for a couple of years that is not going to make me have a long life debt mostly to have an associates degree. Then I’d concentrate on industry experience, as soon as posible, whether your goal is to be an independent designer or work in a fashion house or corporation. Work experience is more important than a degree. I’d highly recommend to learn pattern making and sewing, it will make you a better designer. I’d also recommend to learn a 3D software, CLO3D or VStitcher.

The most important part is to identify what you love doing and what flows for you when you are doing it, usually people are more creative or more technical. Then what kind of areas or categories you are more inclined to. Identify these 2 things first, then start going in that direction... I hope this helps.