Pratt Institute

Summary

A top-ranked college with opportunities in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Institute’s impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, PrattMWP College of Art and Design in Utica, New York.

Since its founding in 1887, Pratt has prioritized diversity and inclusion, welcoming students from all walks of life while developing and sustaining pathways to more equitable workplaces and careers. Today, Pratt and its exceptional faculty pride themselves on being academically excellent as well as adaptable to both in-person and online learning. Pratt students are part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary, research- and inquiry-based education that prepares them for success in creative fields and professional practice, with the goal of contributing to a fairer, more sustainable world.

History

Pratt Institute was founded in 1887 by Charles Pratt, a prominent American industrialist and oil magnate. Having made his fortune through Astral Oil Works and later through a merger with John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, Pratt envisioned a college that would offer practical education to the working-class population of Brooklyn. Though he never attended college himself, he believed strongly in the transformative power of education. He purchased land in Clinton Hill near his home and opened the institute with just 12 students. From the outset, the school offered technical training in areas like architectural engineering, mechanics, and dressmaking, with drawing as a foundational element across disciplines. The curriculum also included liberal arts subjects to help students understand the broader world.

The institute grew rapidly, reaching 1,000 students within its first year and nearly 4,000 by its fifth anniversary. It earned national attention for its innovative model and became a point of inspiration for Andrew Carnegie when establishing his own educational institutions. During this period, Pratt expanded its offerings to include a high school, library school, music department, and a popular Department of Commerce. This department later separated and became the Heffley School of Commerce, which evolved into Brooklyn Law School. Leadership passed from Charles Pratt to his sons, with Frederic B. Pratt playing a crucial role in shaping the institute’s early decades.

In 1896, the Pratt Library was inaugurated, designed in a Victorian-Renaissance Revival style with interiors by the Tiffany Decorating and Glass Company. It was the only public library in Brooklyn at the time and played a dual role as a resource for the community and as a training ground for future librarians. The institute continued to grow and diversify its programmes, especially for women, offering training in fields such as library science, home economics, and nursing. By the early 20th century, the school was organised into separate departments, including the Schools of Fine and Applied Arts, Domestic Science, and Science and Technology.

Pratt’s role in national efforts became evident during both World Wars. In World War I, it established the Student Army Training Corps and contributed engineering expertise to the war effort. One of its alumni, Donald A. Hall, designed the Spirit of St. Louis for Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight. By the late 1930s, Pratt had evolved from a technical school into a degree-granting institution, offering Bachelor of Science and graduate programmes. During World War II, the school continued its involvement in national defence, training servicemen and helping to develop military camouflage.

The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of physical transformation for the campus, driven in part by Robert Moses’ urban renewal initiatives. Streets around the scattered campus were closed to traffic, and the school consolidated its buildings into a unified enclosed campus. New facilities such as Dekalb Hall and the Information Science Center were built, and the School of Architecture received enhanced support. The changing demographics of Clinton Hill prompted internal debate about relocating, but Pratt remained committed to its Brooklyn roots. In 1963, the institute established the Pratt Center for Community Development to support local revitalisation efforts.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the institute faced serious challenges. Crime and economic decline in Brooklyn led to falling enrollment and growing financial deficits. Safety concerns deterred prospective students and faculty. Still, the institute made history when Cyndi Meserve joined the men’s basketball team, becoming the first woman to play in NCAA men’s basketball. Architecture became the most popular major, overtaking engineering. Ahead of its centennial in 1987, the institute initiated campus renewal projects, but financial pressures ultimately led to the closure of its historic School of Engineering in 1993, a controversial decision that marked a turning point.

With the closure of the School of Engineering, Pratt redirected its focus toward the arts and design. Under President Thomas F. Schutte, the institute underwent a period of revival and expansion. Debt was reduced, enrollment increased, and several new residence halls were constructed to support a transition from commuter to residential life. The campus was enhanced with restoration projects, including the addition of the Pratt Institute Sculpture Park in 1999. Although alumnus Vincent A. Stabile donated $13 million hoping to revive the engineering school, the funds were used to build a residence hall. Partnerships with art colleges in New York and Delaware also helped strengthen academic offerings.

Today, Pratt Institute is one of the leading colleges for art, design, and architecture, maintaining its commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and creative education. The legacy of Charles Pratt’s vision continues to shape its mission, combining technical training with artistic and intellectual growth. Through periods of challenge and change, the institute has remained a vital educational institution in Brooklyn, contributing to both local development and global creativity.

Courses

Pratt Institute offers undergraduate and graduate courses spread across six academic schools—Architecture, Art, Design, Information, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Continuing and Professional Studies. The university’s curriculum is structured to provide both practical and theoretical knowledge. Popular undergraduate courses include degrees such as Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design, Communications Design, Photography, and Game Arts. For postgraduate students, Pratt offers advanced studies like Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Communications Design, Digital Arts, and 3D Animation, as well as Master of Science (MS) programs in Urban Planning, Library and Information Science, and Sustainable Environmental Systems.

The School of Architecture at Pratt is one of the university’s most prestigious departments, offering programs that focus on sustainable design, urban infrastructure, and architectural innovation. The Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year, first-professional degree programme that incorporates hands-on studio work, lectures, and global learning opportunities. Graduate programs such as the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) and MS in Urban Design prepare students to address complex architectural and environmental challenges in real-world contexts. Students benefit from learning in professional-standard studios, workshops, and labs situated in Brooklyn, with options to participate in study-abroad programs that further enrich their global perspective.

In Art and Design, Pratt has developed some of the most respected programs in the United States. The School of Design offers courses in Communications Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Digital Arts, and Fashion Design. Students studying in these programs work with experienced industry professionals, learning the latest techniques in digital fabrication, visual storytelling, and sustainable material sourcing. The School of Art provides specialised programs in Fine Arts, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Film, and Art History. These courses foster experimentation and encourage students to develop their creative voices through extensive studio practice and critique sessions.

For students interested in the intersection of technology, information, and culture, Pratt’s School of Information provides graduate-level education in Library and Information Science, Museums and Digital Culture, Data Analytics and Visualization, and Information Experience Design. These programs prepare students for careers in archiving, data analysis, UX design, and cultural heritage management. Simultaneously, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences enriches students with undergraduate courses in Writing, Critical and Visual Studies, and History of Art and Design, along with graduate programs in Media Studies and Writing, designed to cultivate analytical and communication skills.

In addition to its full-time degree offerings, Pratt’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies serves students seeking short-term or part-time study options. Courses include certificate programs in UX/UI Design, Advanced Interior Design, Digital Marketing, and specialised subjects such as Perfumery and AI Design. These are designed to accommodate professionals looking to upskill, high school students participating in pre-college programs, and adult learners exploring creative fields. With flexible delivery formats including online, in-person, and hybrid classes, the continuing education division ensures that a wider community can access Pratt’s industry-relevant curriculum.

Global MBA Rankings

Pratt has consistently been recognised for the quality of its academic programmes. According to the 2025 U.S. News and World Report, Pratt Institut’s graduate programmes ranked #15 in Best Fine Arts, #11 in Painting/Drawing, #29 in Library and Information Studies, and #10 in Archives and Preservation. The undergraduate Bachelor of Architecture programme is also regularly placed among the top fifteen in the U.S. by Architectural Record since 2000.

Although it was initially recognised by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance for offering good value in private higher education, it was no longer included in their listings after 2019. Internationally, Pratt Institute holds a strong position in global rankings. In both 2023 and 2024, the QS World University Rankings placed Pratt sixth in the world for Art and Design, reaffirming its leadership and influence in creative education.

Job Integration Rate

Pratt Institute students have strong career trajectories on graduation. 91 percent of the class of 2022 secured employment or pursued further education within 12 months of graduation, according to recent surveys. This success is attributed to the institute’s Center for Career and Professional Development, which offers extensive support through career advice, job fairs, and internship programs.

A number of forward-looking companies hired recent Pratt Institute graduates, including Amazon, Apple, Dreamworks, Google, Meta, Nickelodeon, Oscar de la Renta, Penguin Random House, Pepsico, Sesame Workshop, Sony, The Met, and West Elm. The Center for Career and Professional Development actively supports students’ professional growth, conducting over 1,200 career advising appointments annually. Pratt’s Handshake job board also featured 1,570 relevant job opportunities, allowing students to discover potential employers.

Successful alumni include fashion designers Jeremy Scott, creative director of Moschino and owner of his namesake label. Since launching his fashion brand in Paris in 1997, Scott has built a reputation as “pop culture’s most irreverent designer”. Alumnus Betsey Johnson has over sixty stores, including stores in London, Tokyo, and Toronto. These graduates exemplify the creative spirit that Pratt instils in its students.

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