Parsons School of Design is a world-renowned art and design school in New York City, part of The New School university. Its location in the heart of Manhattan's fashion and design districts provides direct access to industry leaders, and its alumni include some of the most influential designers in fashion, interior design, and graphic arts.
Notable Alumni
Tom Ford (fashion designer and filmmaker)•Marc Jacobs (iconic fashion designer)•Donna Karan (founder of DKNY)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Parsons has no campus in the traditional sense — buildings are scattered across Manhattan's Greenwich Village, so your social life is really just New York City itself. The fashion and design programs are grueling (expect late nights sewing and spending your own money on materials), but the lack of a cohesive campus community means you need to be proactive about making friends or risk feeling isolated in a crowd.
An urban campus scattered across Greenwich Village with no traditional campus grounds. Buildings are functional loft-style spaces integrated into the city streetscape, relying on Manhattan's energy rather than architectural distinction.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
The New School provides security officers with ID checks, lockers, and surveillance across its Manhattan buildings. Very little reported campus crime despite the urban setting.
Parsons buildings are in Greenwich Village and the Flatiron area, among the safer Manhattan neighborhoods with heavy foot traffic.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Weekdays during the academic year; appointment required
Duration: 60 minutes (Parsons-specific) or 90 minutes (all-school)
Tours begin at the Welcome Center, 72 Fifth Avenue (corner of 13th St & 5th Ave). Parsons-specific tours focus on design studios and making spaces. Only those with appointments may tour. Virtual Welcome Center desk available M-F 9am-5pm EST, no appointment needed.
Book a TourParsons buildings are scattered across Greenwich Village — you can freely walk the neighborhood and view building exteriors. The University Center at 65 Fifth Avenue has a publicly accessible ground floor with student work displays.
Tour ResourcesOctober through early December or March through early May when classes are in full swing and student work is everywhere. The Parsons Festival (end-of-year showcase in mid-May) lets you see thesis projects across all disciplines. Avoid summer and January when most students are away.
No campus parking — driving in Manhattan is not recommended. Take the subway: 4/5/6/N/R/Q/L to 14th St-Union Square (walk south to 13th St), or A/C/E/1/2/3/F/M to 14th Street stations. Street parking meters exist but are scarce on weekdays. Nearby commercial garages on 13th Street run $30-$50/day. All three NYC-area airports (JFK, LGA, EWR) connect to Manhattan via train and bus.
Location
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