Best institutions to study Apparel and Textile Manufacture
A program that focuses on the design, development, and production of textile products and related processes and systems.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 244 Apparel and Textile Manufacture students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0902, a specialization of Apparel and Textiles (CIP 19.09), and leads most directly to the Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers occupation (BLS SOC 51-6092).
About Apparel and Textile Manufacture programs
A program that focuses on the design, development, and production of textile products and related processes and systems. Includes instruction in functional and aesthetic design, human factors research, production planning, manufacturing processes, quality assessment, and distribution systems.
See also: 50.0407 - Fashion/Apparel Design., 50.0712 - Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Apparel and Textile Manufacture program focuses on the design, development, and production of textile products. It encompasses various processes and systems, making it ideal for individuals interested in the fashion and textile industries. This program is suited for students who are creative and detail-oriented, with a passion for fabric and garment production.
Students in this program gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and design. Coursework includes functional and aesthetic design, production planning, and quality assessment, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in the textile manufacturing field.
Credentials awarded
What Apparel and Textile Manufacture graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree89 graduates / yr · 3 institutions37%
- Associate's degree69 graduates / yr · 8 institutions28%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year44 graduates / yr · 6 institutions18%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years38 graduates / yr · 9 institutions16%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.6%
Graduates over time
Apparel and Textile Manufacture completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 275 |
| 2013 | 307 |
| 2014 | 287 |
| 2015 | 273 |
| 2016 | 265 |
| 2017 | 278 |
| 2018 | 264 |
| 2019 | 332 |
| 2020 | 349 |
| 2021 | 289 |
| 2022 | 309 |
| 2023 | 303 |
| 2024 | 313 |
| 2025 | 244 |
Top 19 institutions for Apparel and Textile Manufacture, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 86 | 81% | — | $40,463 |
| 2 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 30 | 33% | — | — |
| 3 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster's | 17 | 34% | $40,294 | $27,630 |
| 4 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 48% | — | — |
| 5 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 20% | — | — |
| 6 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 48% | — | — |
| 7 | Academia Serrant Inc Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 88% | $7,589 | — |
| 8 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate's | 9 | 32% | — | — |
| 9 | Honolulu Community College Honolulu, HIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 25% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului, HIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 6 | 28% | — | — |
| 11 | Liceo de Arte - Dise - O y Comercio Caguas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 64% | — | — |
| 12 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 33% | — | — |
| 13 | Wayne County Community College District Detroit, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 22% | — | — |
| 14 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 35% | — | — |
| 15 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 16 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 36% | — | — |
| 17 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 30% | — | — |
| 18 | Canada College Redwood City, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 47% | — | — |
| 19 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 35% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Apparel and Textiles field (CIP 19.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 9 states & territories
Where Apparel and Textile Manufacture graduates come from. Each state links to all Apparel and Textiles programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2 | 116 | Fashion Institute of Technology86 / yr |
| California | 8 | 47 | Academy of Art University17 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 19 | Academia Serrant Inc13 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 16 | William Rainey Harper College16 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 15 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College15 / yr |
| Hawaii | 2 | 13 | Honolulu Community College7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 9 | Dallas College9 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 5 | Wayne County Community College District5 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | Drexel University4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-6092, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Apparel and Textile Manufacture program can pursue careers as Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers, with additional opportunities in fashion design and education. Although the job outlook shows a decline of 10.2%, there are approximately 300 annual openings, and the median wage for this field is $67,670, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0902
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakersprimary SOC 51-6092 | $62,750 | -10.2% Decline | ~300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Fashion Designers SOC 27-1022 | $80,960 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~2,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Apparel and Textile Manufacture programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Apparel and Textiles specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Apparel and Textiles (CIP 19.09).
- Apparel and TextilesCIP 19.09011,825 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Apparel and Textile Marketing ManagementCIP 19.0905530 graduates / yr32 institutions
- Fashion and Fabric ConsultantCIP 19.0906partial data38 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Apparel and TextilesCIP 19.0999partial data34 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Textile ScienceCIP 19.0904limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or various awards based on your study duration.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, design, and production processes.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker, Fashion Designer, or Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 10.2%, with around 300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Apparel and Textile Manufacture?+
Apparel and Textile Manufacture is CIP 19.0902 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Apparel and Textiles (CIP 19.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design, development, and production of textile products and related processes and systems. Includes instruction in functional and aesthetic design, human factors research, production planning, manufacturing processes, quality assessment, and distribution systems.
How many institutions offer Apparel and Textile Manufacture programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Apparel and Textile Manufacture graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states & territories, awarding 244 credentials in the year. That is 9.1% of all Apparel and Textiles graduates.
How much do Apparel and Textile Manufacture graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers occupation, which Apparel and Textile Manufacture most directly leads to, pays a median of $62,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Apparel and Textiles field report median earnings of $40,463 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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