FIDM / Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising has been educating students for careers in the fashion and entertainment industries for over 40 years. Our goal is to give students the best college education possible while preparing them to launch their career immediately. The focused curriculum, talented faculty, and a global network of industry partners like Cotton, Inc. and Disney, give students the necessary skills to work simultaneously while earning their degree. FIDM has helped launch the careers of over 40,000 graduates, including famed designers Monique Lhuillier, Kevan Hall, and Randolph Duke, just to name a few. Nine graduates have appeared as contestants on Project Runway, including FIDM Instructor Nick Verreos and Season 5 winner Leanne Marshall. Our students and graduates are doing everything from designing sets for primetime television, creating costumes for television and movies, and designing clothing for Anthropologie and GUESS, Inc., to creating visual displays for Forever 21, creating logos and marketing materials for surf and sport companies, and launching the latest beauty products. FIDM offers several degree options, including a four-year Bachelor of Science degree; 20 creative majors, and an unparalleled Career Center with a database of over 19,000 employers and growing.
School Highlights
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County serves 64 students (92% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 6:1 is lower than the state community college average of 20:1.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 95%.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
Enrollment: 64 students
Private-state tuition: $29,930
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Student:teacher ratio: 6:1
Minority enrollment: 68%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The teacher population of 10 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Associates--Public Special Use
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
10 staff
294 staff
Student Body
The student population of FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 6:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County diversity score of 0.80 is more than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
64 students
5,744 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
20:1
# Full-Time Students
59 students
813 students
# Part-Time Students
5 students
4,931 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
193 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
59 students
813 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
63 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5 students
4,962 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
13%
% Asian
14%
6%
% Hispanic
26%
1%
% Black
5%
46%
% White
32%
5%
% Hawaiian
n/a
24%
% Two or more races
6%
4%
% Non Resident races
6%
n/a
% Unknown races
10%
1%
Diversity Score
0.80
0.71
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
65%
30.56%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.4884%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$41,800
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The private state tuition of $29,930 is more than the state average of $20,392. The private state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$29,930
$20,392
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
84%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$14,167
$10,376
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$6,000
Acceptance Rate
67%
92%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
In what neighborhood is FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County located?
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County is located in the Irvine Business Complex neighborhood of Irvine, CA. There are 1 other community '.college.' located in Irvine Business Complex.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County is Stanbridge University (1.0 miles away)
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Quick Stats (2024-25)
Enrollment: 64 students
Private-state tuition: $29,930
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Student:teacher ratio: 6:1
Minority enrollment: 68%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Did You Know?
For Orange County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $2,742 per year for in-state students and $8,379 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
