Costume Design and Technology

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What is Costume Design and Technology?

Costume Design and Technology is a concentration within Theatre. You’ll explore design as well as costume construction, costume crafts, and historical costumes. This concentration provides theoretical, artistic, and practical training for theatre, opera, and entertainment. This concentration’s goal is to educate and train young designers. You will learn to become a leading artist of the 21st century; collaborative, creative, open-minded, and critical. You can apply into this concentration, but you must submit a portfolio before being accepted.

Career Options

Costume design
Costume management
Costume technology

Post-Graduation Success¹

88% employed or continuing education

53% employed after graduation

35% attending graduate school

$37,778 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Baltimore Center Stage (2), Cru (1), Everyday Humans (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, New York University, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School View All

Program Resources

College of Fine & Applied Arts Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

4.1 years to degree

96% first-year retention rate

70% four-year graduation rate

80% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,912
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,652

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,588
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,668

International

Tuition: $38,630
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,710

Related Majors

Scenic Design - FAA

Scenic Technology - FAA

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.