North Carolina · Apparel and Textiles

Best colleges for Apparel and Textiles in North Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Appalachian State University and East Carolina University are the top bachelor's Apparel and Textiles programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. University of North Carolina at Greensboro leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $40,059, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, East Carolina University and Appalachian State University award the most Apparel and Textiles degrees in North Carolina: 54, 41 and 31 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 North Carolina colleges offer Apparel and Textiles and award 126 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…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 19.09
States offered
39
with a program page
Degrees / yr
126
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$36,945
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
65%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
$49,140
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,0595456%—$26,000
2Appalachian State University
Boone Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,9453175%—$26,000
3East Carolina University
Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,4184163%—$26,000

Colleges awarding the most Apparel and Textiles degrees in North Carolina

Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro Public
54$40,059
2East Carolina University
Greenville Public
41$32,418
3Appalachian State University
Boone Public
31$36,945

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers (SOC 51-6092).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-10.2%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$67,670
typically High school diploma or equivalent

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningMathematicsReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive Learning

What Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn in North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
270
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$49,140
median $48,180
Best-paying metro
$50,110
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

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Common questions

Answers for students comparing Apparel and Textiles programs in North Carolina.

Which North Carolina colleges award the most Apparel and Textiles degrees?+

University of North Carolina at Greensboro (54 graduates a year), East Carolina University (41 graduates a year) and Appalachian State University (31 graduates a year) award the most Apparel and Textiles degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 North Carolina colleges offer Apparel and Textiles.

What is the best college for Apparel and Textiles in North Carolina?+

By graduate earnings, University of North Carolina at Greensboro leads among bachelor's Apparel and Textiles programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $40,059, College Scorecard. Appalachian State University and East Carolina University follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Carolina at Greensboro is the largest, with 54 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Apparel and Textiles program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of North Carolina at Greensboro tops the list at $40,059. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers in North Carolina is $49,140 (median $48,180), across about 270 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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