Best Schools for Apparel and Textiles

Apparel and Textiles graduates earn a median of $57,922 within four years of graduating, ranking #143 out of 283 tracked majors — 7% below the median across all fields. There are 60 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 3,142 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Cornell University graduates earn $94,967 while Liberty University graduates earn $38,226 — a $56,741 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Apparel and Textiles graduates see an average 3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$57,922

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#143

of 283 Majors

3,142

Graduates

Public vs Private: Apparel and Textiles

Public (54 schools)

$57,640

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (5 schools)

$62,123

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $4,483 more in early earnings on average for Apparel and Textiles graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Apparel and Textiles by State

Also by state: Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin

Top Apparel and Textiles Schools by Graduate Earnings

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$94,967

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

1yr: $55,049 (17)

Acceptance: 8.2%

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public

University of Delaware

Newark, DE · Public

Utah State University

Logan, UT · Public

$74,686

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 93.6%

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY · Public

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$68,636

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $42,682 (26)

1yr: $39,025 (19)

Acceptance: 70.5%

FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Los Angeles, CA · For-Profit

$67,118

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

1yr: $34,078 (22)

Acceptance: 41.5%

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public

$65,815

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · Public

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY · Public

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$59,879

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI · Private

$59,372

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

2yr: $41,937 (13)

Acceptance: 13.8%

#22

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI · Public

$59,192

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

1yr: $39,900 (24)

Acceptance: 84.7%

#23

Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

Framingham State University

Framingham, MA · Public

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public

$56,487

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA · Private

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

$55,367

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $36,848 (20)

Acceptance: 78.8%

#33

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

$55,367

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $36,848 (20)

Acceptance: 68.4%

#34

Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO · Public

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public

$52,542

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

1yr: $33,372 (25)

Acceptance: 71.6%

#40

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA · Public

University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public

$48,441

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $31,670 (14)

Acceptance: 70.9%

#44

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public

$46,129

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 76.3%

#46

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$45,225

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA · Public

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, IN · Public

$45,035

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

Showing top 50 of 60 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other $36,361 International Relations and National Security Studies $36,273 Sustainability Studies $36,247 Agricultural Public Services $36,020 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other $36,018 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences $35,911

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Apparel and Textiles?

Cornell University ranks #1 for Apparel and Textiles with median graduate earnings of $94,967 within four years of graduating. There are 60 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Apparel and Textiles graduates earn?

Apparel and Textiles graduates earn an average of $57,922 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $38,226 to $94,967 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Apparel and Textiles program?

The average acceptance rate across Apparel and Textiles programs is 75.1%. The most selective program is at Cornell University with a 8.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Apparel and Textiles?

Private Apparel and Textiles programs average $62,123 in early earnings vs $57,640 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

Get Apparel and Textiles Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.