The Fashion Institute of Technology or better known as FIT, is one of the State University of New York (SUNY) college for art, business, design, mass communication and technology connected to the fashion industry. The college is well known for offering degrees in diverse and unique subjects, such as the Menswear and Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing degree. The Institute is ranked among the top five fashion schools in the world and currently as an estimated enrollment of 10,000 students. Notable alumni include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Joel Schumacher! The institute was first established in 1944.

FIT is located on West 27th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue in Chelsea. Most FIT students are expected to make the commute to get to classes via public transportation, bike, or by walking. For most, going to class is as simple as hopping on a subway or walking over to campus! There is a Barns & Noble College Bookstore located on campus and also a retail food court/dining hall and Starbucks for students to enjoy.

FIT currently offers four residence halls: Alumni Hall, Coed Hall, Nagler Hall, and Kaufman Hall. The four combined house approximately a total of 2,317 students. While the residence halls located on 27th street are reserved for new/entering students only, the Kaufman Hall located off campus on 31st Street are for current/returning students.

It is not a requirement to live on-campus, and unfortunately housing is not guaranteed. However, FIT will place eligible applicants on a waitlist and notify them of availability. In the past few years, FIT has been able to provide on-campus housing to all applicants.

If you are not planning on living in the Residence Halls provided by FIT, don't feel like you're missing out! Over 7,700 FIT students are either commuting to class from their homes from boroughs outside of Manhattan or are living off-campus in Manhattan. Most FIT students will choose to live in the outer boroughs rather than Manhattan to save on rent.

Regardless of where you choose to live, transportation is rarely an issue. Besides from the public transportation options located within New York City, students are also able to gain access to the free Kaufman Hall Shuttle that runs between Feldman Center and Kaufman Hall every 15 minutes.

For those interested in finding housing near FIT. Check out our Interactive HeatMaps to find more information on average rental prices in each neighborhood.

For alums who continue staying in the city, most are spread throughout Manhattan and the outer boroughs - Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Popular neighborhoods located in Manhattan for alums include Hell's Kitchen, Financial District, Upper West/East Side, and West/East Village.

For people first moving into New York City, be sure to read through this RentHop Renter's Guide. The guide was created to help first time New York City renters and will take you through the whole rental process in New York City.

Here are some other useful resources you should check out:

Transportation Related Maps:

• NYC Subway Map
• Path Train Timetable Map & Guide
• New Jersey Transit Map
• Manhattan Bus Map
• Queens Bus Map
• Brooklyn Bus Map
• NYC Map

Real Estate Firms located physically around FIT campus:

• Citi Habitats (155 7th Avenue)
• Bond Real Estate Corporation (64 West 21st Street)
• The Corcoran Group (636 6th Avenue)

The FIT Site

FIT Admissions

FIT Residential Life

FIT Off Campus Housing