Best colleges for Apparel and Textiles in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
William Rainey Harper College, Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University award the most Apparel and Textiles degrees and certificates in Illinois: 27, 12 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Illinois colleges offer Apparel and Textiles and award 62 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Apparel and Textiles program focuses on the design, production, and distribution of textiles, including yarn, cloth, and clothing. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the fashion industry and those who want to explore…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,111 | 12 | 65% | — | $22,500 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,247 | 5 | 62% | — | $31,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Apparel and Textiles degrees in Illinois
Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 2 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 12 | $37,111 |
| 3 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 5 | $25,247 |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Apparel and Textiles
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 13 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers (SOC 51-6092).
Top skills
What Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Apparel and Textiles programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Apparel and Textiles degrees?+
William Rainey Harper College (27 graduates a year), Illinois State University (12 graduates a year) and Northern Illinois University (5 graduates a year) award the most Apparel and Textiles degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Illinois colleges offer Apparel and Textiles.
What is the focus of the Apparel and Textiles program?+
The Apparel and Textiles program focuses on the design, production, and distribution of textiles, including yarn, cloth, and clothing. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the fashion industry and those who want to explore…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, mathematics, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers?+
The national job outlook is about -10.2% growth with around 300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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