About LIM College
LIM College trains students for careers in fashion business and marketing from its Manhattan campus. The school specializes in combining fashion industry knowledge with practical business skills. With 1,133 students enrolled, it operates as a focused professional program rather than a traditional liberal arts college. The 83.82% acceptance rate reflects the school's accessibility to students committed to fashion careers.
Students face significant financial costs at LIM College. The average net price reaches $37,514 annually, with total attendance costs hitting $52,506 when including room and board. Graduates typically carry $24,000 in debt with monthly loan payments of $254. However, the investment shows promise with a 94.5% employment rate and median earnings of $58,956 ten years after graduation. Recent graduates start modestly at $37,638 in their first year but see income growth over time.
The student body is overwhelmingly female at 88.61%, reflecting fashion industry demographics. Only 29.72% of students come from New York state, drawing aspiring fashion professionals nationwide. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes than typical private colleges. The 67.84% retention rate suggests some students find the specialized focus or urban environment challenging, but those who stay graduate at a 53% rate within six years.
Students face significant financial costs at LIM College. The average net price reaches $37,514 annually, with total attendance costs hitting $52,506 when including room and board. Graduates typically carry $24,000 in debt with monthly loan payments of $254. However, the investment shows promise with a 94.5% employment rate and median earnings of $58,956 ten years after graduation. Recent graduates start modestly at $37,638 in their first year but see income growth over time.
The student body is overwhelmingly female at 88.61%, reflecting fashion industry demographics. Only 29.72% of students come from New York state, drawing aspiring fashion professionals nationwide. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes than typical private colleges. The 67.84% retention rate suggests some students find the specialized focus or urban environment challenging, but those who stay graduate at a 53% rate within six years.
Academics & Faculty
LIM College specializes entirely in fashion business education, preparing students for careers in retail management, marketing, and merchandising. The college operates with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio, which means larger class sizes than traditional liberal arts colleges. Students can expect hands-on learning through internships with major fashion brands in Manhattan. The 53% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenging nature of balancing rigorous coursework with industry experience. Popular programs include Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, and Visual Merchandising, all designed around real-world applications. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills over theoretical study, with many courses incorporating current industry trends and technologies used by fashion retailers.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 8.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 52.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 53.0%
- Retention Rate
- 67.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,956
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,321 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $45,215 |
| Marketing. | Master | $44,971 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $43,863 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $43,575 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $42,682 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $39,585 |
Campus Life
LIM College operates from a single building on East 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, putting students steps from major fashion retailers and corporate headquarters. With housing capacity for just 384 students and total enrollment of 1,133, only about one-third of students live on campus in residence halls. The 88.61% female student body creates a tight-knit community focused on breaking into fashion and retail industries.
Winter coats are essential for navigating New York's harsh winters, but students often prioritize style even in freezing temperatures. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means classes feel intimate despite the urban setting. Weekends revolve around internships, fashion events, and exploring the city's retail landscape rather than traditional college parties. Students frequent sample sales, gallery openings, and networking events across Manhattan. The school's location means Lincoln Center, Times Square, and the Garment District are all within walking distance. This urban campus lacks traditional collegiate green spaces, but Central Park sits just blocks away for students seeking outdoor time between fashion merchandising classes.
Winter coats are essential for navigating New York's harsh winters, but students often prioritize style even in freezing temperatures. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means classes feel intimate despite the urban setting. Weekends revolve around internships, fashion events, and exploring the city's retail landscape rather than traditional college parties. Students frequent sample sales, gallery openings, and networking events across Manhattan. The school's location means Lincoln Center, Times Square, and the Garment District are all within walking distance. This urban campus lacks traditional collegiate green spaces, but Central Park sits just blocks away for students seeking outdoor time between fashion merchandising classes.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 384 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 27°–39°F
- July Avg
- 70°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 29.8"
Student Demographics
LIM College draws fashion-obsessed students from across the country, with about 70% coming from outside New York. Women make up nearly 90% of the student body, reflecting the college's focus on fashion business and merchandising. The school attracts a diverse mix of students, with strong representation from Black and Hispanic communities alongside white and Asian students. About one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves students from various economic backgrounds who are serious about breaking into the competitive fashion industry.
- Men
- 11.4%
- Women
- 88.6%
- White
- 38.2%
- Black
- 22.0%
- Hispanic
- 21.4%
- Asian
- 8.1%
- In-State Students
- 29.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 35.7%
Location
LIM College sits in the heart of Manhattan, putting students directly in the center of New York City's fashion and business districts. The campus operates within one of the world's major fashion capitals, where students can walk to internships at major retailers and fashion houses. Manhattan's dense urban environment means everything is accessible by subway or on foot. The college draws 70% of its students from out of state, reflecting the appeal of studying fashion business in NYC rather than a traditional college town. Housing capacity serves only 384 students on a campus designed for city living. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare LIM College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- New York, New York 10017-0000
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,956
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $60,892
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $42,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 62.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $254/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at LIM College?
LIM College accepts 83.82% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1070. The school focuses on fashion business education, so admissions emphasize interest in the industry over just test scores.
How much does LIM College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $37,514 annually at LIM College. Only 35.71% of students receive financial aid, and the median debt at graduation is $24,000.
What is the student-faculty ratio at LIM College?
LIM College maintains a 22:1 student-faculty ratio with 1,133 total students. The school specializes in fashion business and marketing, offering industry-focused programs in Manhattan's fashion district.
What are the job prospects after graduating from LIM College?
LIM College graduates have a 94.5% employment rate and earn a median salary of $58,956 ten years after graduation. The school's location in New York City provides direct access to fashion and retail industry connections.
Does LIM College have on-campus housing?
LIM College offers housing for 384 students with room and board costing $19,656 annually. Most students live off-campus in Manhattan, taking advantage of the city's internship and networking opportunities.
What is the gender distribution at LIM College?
Women make up 88.61% of LIM College's student body, while men represent only 11.39%. This reflects the fashion industry's demographics and the school's focus on fashion merchandising and marketing programs.
