Best colleges for Apparel and Textiles
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Apparel and Textiles by graduate earnings are Indiana University - Bloomington ($50,264), University of Delaware ($47,760) and Ohio State University ($41,827), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Indiana University - Bloomington (Bloomington, IN): $50,264, 93 graduates a year
- University of Delaware (Newark, DE): $47,760, 73 graduates a year
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH): $41,827, 49 graduates a year
- Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL): $41,130, 63 graduates a year
- University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR): $40,948, 87 graduates a year
Compare 105 U.S. colleges offering Apparel and Textiles by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 39 states.
Apparel and Textiles programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,768 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 19.09 and the Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Apparel and Textiles programs
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 various aspects of textile science and apparel marketing management. Students will engage with both the creative and technical sides of the field.
Students in the Apparel and Textiles program will develop core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and design. Coursework typically covers pattern creation, textile production processes, and marketing strategies, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to succeed in various specializations within the industry.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,264 | 93 | 80% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,760 | 73 | 81% | — | $23,250 |
| 3 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,827 | 49 | 88% | — | $22,313 |
| 4 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,130 | 63 | 86% | — | $20,100 |
| 5 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,948 | 87 | 71% | — | $25,225 |
| 6 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,849 | 82 | 75% | — | $23,204 |
| 7 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,463 | 109 | 81% | — | $21,165 |
| 8 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,081 | 34 | 60% | — | $19,500 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,059 | 54 | 56% | — | $26,000 |
| 10 | Ohio University Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,969 | 21 | 65% | — | $24,750 |
| 11 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,262 | 82 | 68% | — | $11,764 |
| 12 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,529 | 26 | 71% | — | $22,773 |
| 13 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,329 | 86 | 82% | — | $23,976 |
| 14 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,245 | 51 | 89% | — | $24,812 |
| 15 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,111 | 59 | 73% | — | $25,000 |
| 16 | Appalachian State University Boone, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,945 | 31 | 75% | — | $26,000 |
| 17 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,635 | 55 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 18 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,852 | 70 | 67% | — | $21,250 |
| 19 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,315 | 58 | 71% | — | $23,000 |
| 20 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,244 | 20 | 67% | — | $27,000 |
| 21 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,502 | 20 | 85% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,161 | 56 | 73% | — | $24,125 |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,016 | 33 | 90% | — | $26,000 |
| 24 | East Carolina University Greenville, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,418 | 41 | 63% | — | $26,000 |
| 25 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,796 | 38 | 65% | $28,911 | $22,500 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Institucion Chaviano de Mayaguez Mayaguez, PR Private for-profit · Certificate Small program | $14,355 | 1 | 54% | $4,482 | — |
Specializations within Apparel and Textiles
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 19.09 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Apparel and TextilesCIP 19.09011,825 graduates / yr67 institutions33 states
- Apparel and Textile Marketing ManagementCIP 19.0905530 graduates / yr32 institutions13 states
- Apparel and Textile ManufactureCIP 19.0902244 graduates / yr19 institutions9 states
- Fashion and Fabric ConsultantCIP 19.0906partial data38 graduates / yr3 institutions2 states
- Apparel and TextilesCIP 19.0999partial data34 graduates / yr3 institutions2 states
- Textile ScienceCIP 19.0904limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 39 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-6092, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers, and its national outlook.
The career outlook for graduates in Apparel and Textiles shows a decline, with an expected growth rate of -10.2%. However, approximately 300 annual openings are projected, with a median wage of $67,670. Most positions in this field require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Apparel and Textiles
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 19.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 19.09 (Apparel and Textiles) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-2021 | Marketing Managers |
| 13-1022 | Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products |
| 13-1161 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| 19-2032 | Materials Scientists |
| 25-1192 | Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 27-1022 | Fashion Designers |
| 27-1025 | Interior Designers |
| 51-6092 | Fabric and Apparel Patternmakersprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Apparel and Textiles programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
- Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
- Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
- Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
- Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
- Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Apparel and Textile Manufacture, Textile Science, and Fashion and Fabric Consultant.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, design, and active learning.
What tasks might I perform in this field?+
Tasks include creating master patterns, adjusting designs, and inputting specifications for pattern cutting.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline with a growth rate of -10.2%, but there are around 300 annual openings.
How much do Apparel and Textiles graduates earn?+
Apparel and Textiles graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,768, College Scorecard (2019); the Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers occupation pays about $71,420 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Apparel and Textiles?+
Apparel and Textiles maps to CIP 19.09 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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