Apparel and Textiles: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 60 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$120,505 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
19.2 yrsModeled economic break-even
−48%Modeled 10-year ROI
$58,046Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Four useful answers about Apparel and Textiles
How much do Apparel and Textiles bachelor's degree graduates earn?
The national median is $58,046 four years after completion across reportable bachelor's degree programs in this federal field.
How much federal debt do graduates have?
The median reported federal debt is $24,750. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.
Does the college matter for Apparel and Textiles?
Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $52,542 to $62,807 in observed year-4 earnings.
What careers are related to Apparel and Textiles?
DegreeVerdict links this field to 10 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.
PRICE SENSITIVITY
The price can change the verdict.
Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.
← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →
$0Annual price−$49,540
$8,000Annual price−$81,540
$16,000Annual price−$113,540
$18,000Current college-wide context−$121,540
$24,000Annual price−$145,540
$32,000Annual price−$177,540
$40,000Annual price−$209,540
Observed national outcomes
$58,046Median reported earnings · year 4
$54,485Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,750Median federal debt
42thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
58With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 5 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $22,805
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $49,263
- Federal debt
- $19,133
- Reporting programs
- 3
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $58,046
- Federal debt
- $24,750
- Reporting programs
- 60
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $72,490
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$52,542National median$58,04675th percentile$62,807
58 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP
Where colleges sit for this exact degree
Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.
$74,686Observed year-4 earnings$41,672
Cornell University$28,690 price · $94,967 earningsIndiana University-Bloomington$16,264 price · $77,520 earningsUniversity of Delaware$17,799 price · $76,595 earningsUtah State University$14,936 price · $74,686 earningsThe University of Texas at Austin$19,857 price · $71,922 earningsFashion Institute of Technology$19,095 price · $71,139 earningsNorthern Illinois University$13,391 price · $68,636 earningsOhio State University-Main Campus$17,339 price · $66,256 earningsUniversity of Kentucky$18,851 price · $66,255 earningsCentral Washington University$18,476 price · $65,815 earningsFlorida State University$11,297 price · $64,807 earningsUniversity of Rhode Island$21,440 price · $64,328 earningsUniversity of Missouri-Columbia$20,268 price · $63,723 earningsUniversity of Arkansas$18,209 price · $63,394 earningsAuburn University$24,323 price · $62,807 earningsIllinois State University$19,398 price · $62,339 earningsSUNY Oneonta$19,158 price · $61,121 earningsIowa State University$18,589 price · $60,349 earningsUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities$16,778 price · $59,879 earningsRhode Island School of Design$50,507 price · $59,372 earningsUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout$17,490 price · $59,192 earningsOhio University-Eastern Campus$3,925 price · $58,647 earningsOhio University-Chillicothe Campus$5,755 price · $58,647 earningsOhio University-Southern Campus$5,993 price · $58,647 earningsOhio University-Lancaster Campus$5,650 price · $58,647 earningsOhio University-Main Campus$21,637 price · $58,647 earningsOhio University-Zanesville Campus$5,746 price · $58,647 earningsAppalachian State University$16,836 price · $58,516 earningsKansas State University$19,406 price · $57,576 earningsColorado State University-Fort Collins$21,279 price · $57,184 earningsFramingham State University$16,114 price · $57,124 earningsWestern Michigan University$15,273 price · $56,487 earningsNorth Dakota State University-Main Campus$15,543 price · $56,197 earningsEast Carolina University$15,739 price · $56,134 earningsSavannah College of Art and Design$49,430 price · $55,925 earningsOregon State University$19,604 price · $55,367 earningsOregon State University-Cascades Campus$18,048 price · $55,367 earningsMissouri State University-Springfield$17,613 price · $54,347 earningsThe University of Alabama$22,420 price · $54,254 earningsSan Francisco State University$12,278 price · $53,575 earningsCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Pomona$11,531 price · $52,952 earningsWashington State University$14,971 price · $52,765 earningsBall State University$14,940 price · $52,542 earningsUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln$17,747 price · $51,654 earningsUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro$10,965 price · $51,510 earningsLouisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College$19,151 price · $48,603 earningsUniversity of Akron Main Campus$13,946 price · $48,441 earningsWayne State University$12,766 price · $46,737 earningsMississippi State University$17,595 price · $46,129 earningsWestern Kentucky University$10,990 price · $45,420 earningsMiddle Tennessee State University$13,359 price · $45,225 earningsGeorgia Southern University$15,267 price · $45,043 earningsIndiana State University$10,873 price · $45,035 earningsSouthern Illinois University-Carbondale$13,297 price · $43,823 earningsUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa$15,664 price · $41,672 earningsAcademy of Art University$40,613 price · $41,565 earningsLiberty University$29,357 price · $38,226 earnings
$5,746Annual college-wide average net price$29,357
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
59 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Cornell University$94,9672Indiana University-Bloomington$77,5203University of Delaware$76,5954Utah State University$74,6865The University of Texas at Austin$71,9226Fashion Institute of Technology$71,1397Northern Illinois University$68,6368Ohio State University-Main Campus$66,2569University of Kentucky$66,25510Central Washington University$65,815Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-17%Projected employment growth →12%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
Fashion Designers$80,960 median wage21,450 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-1022+0.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$39,490–$146,870 10th–90th percentileFamily and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$75,870 median wage2,770 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1192+2.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$47,830–$130,790 10th–90th percentileMarketing Managers$166,790 median wage395,240 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-2021+6.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 34k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$90,260–$293,610 10th–90th percentileMaterials Scientists$117,790 median wage8,470 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-2032+8.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$66,820–$197,290 10th–90th percentileMarket Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$78,760 median wage899,580 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1161+7.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 82k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$43,390–$155,480 10th–90th percentileInterior Designers$67,190 median wage71,500 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-1025+2.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 7.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$41,420–$114,140 10th–90th percentileFabric and Apparel Patternmakers$62,750 median wage2,950 U.S. jobs · SOC 51-6092-15.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$33,790–$123,540 10th–90th percentileFarm and Home Management Educators$60,220 median wage8,220 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-9021-3.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$37,650–$85,060 10th–90th percentileNO MATCHUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 99-9999Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm ProductsUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1022
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $94,967 | Not available | +70% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Indiana University-BloomingtonBachelor's Degree | Bloomington, IN | $77,520 | $20,500 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $76,595 | $23,250 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Utah State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Logan, UT | $74,686 | $16,125 | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $71,922 | $24,812 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Fashion Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $71,139 | $21,165 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Northern Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dekalb, IL | $68,636 | Not available | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $66,256 | $22,313 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | University of KentuckyBachelor's Degree | Lexington, KY | $66,255 | $23,000 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Central Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ellensburg, WA | $65,815 | $19,444 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Florida State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tallahassee, FL | $64,807 | $20,100 | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | University of Rhode IslandBachelor's Degree | Kingston, RI | $64,328 | $24,125 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, MO | $63,723 | $25,000 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $63,394 | $25,225 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $62,807 | $23,976 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $62,339 | $22,500 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | SUNY OneontaBachelor's Degree | Oneonta, NY | $61,121 | $23,691 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Iowa State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ames, IA | $60,349 | $23,204 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $59,879 | Not available | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Rhode Island School of DesignBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $59,372 | $27,000 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin-StoutBachelor's Degree | Menomonie, WI | $59,192 | $26,248 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's Degree | Saint Clairsville, OH | $58,647 | $24,750 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $58,647 | $24,750 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's Degree | Ironton, OH | $58,647 | $24,750 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $58,647 | $24,750 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $58,647 | $24,750 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's Degree | Zanesville, OH | $58,647 | $24,750 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Appalachian State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boone, NC | $58,516 | $26,000 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Kansas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $57,576 | $22,773 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $57,184 | $21,250 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Framingham State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Framingham, MA | $57,124 | $26,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Western Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kalamazoo, MI | $56,487 | Not available | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Fargo, ND | $56,197 | $23,250 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | East Carolina UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greenville, NC | $56,134 | $26,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Savannah College of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | Savannah, GA | $55,925 | $26,916 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $55,367 | Not available | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $55,367 | Not available | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldBachelor's Degree | Springfield, MO | $54,347 | $27,000 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | The University of AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Tuscaloosa, AL | $54,254 | $25,000 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $53,575 | $20,000 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $52,952 | $11,764 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Washington State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pullman, WA | $52,765 | $19,500 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Ball State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Muncie, IN | $52,542 | Not available | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | University of Nebraska-LincolnBachelor's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $51,654 | $27,000 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | University of North Carolina at GreensboroBachelor's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $51,510 | $26,000 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $48,603 | $23,307 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | University of Akron Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Akron, OH | $48,441 | $29,250 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Wayne State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $46,737 | $27,000 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $46,129 | $24,625 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Western Kentucky UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bowling Green, KY | $45,420 | $27,000 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Murfreesboro, TN | $45,225 | $25,000 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Georgia Southern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Statesboro, GA | $45,043 | $29,250 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Indiana State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Terre Haute, IN | $45,035 | $26,000 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleBachelor's Degree | Carbondale, IL | $43,823 | $31,000 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $41,672 | $22,845 | -114% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Academy of Art UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $41,565 | $31,000 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Liberty UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $38,226 | $22,500 | -123% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | University of Northern IowaBachelor's Degree | Cedar Falls, IA | Not available | $21,250 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $15,901 |
| 59 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | Not available | $26,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,354 |
| 60 | FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & MerchandisingBachelor's Degree | , | $67,118 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.