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Best Value Apparel and Textiles Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

University of Delaware stands out among apparel and textiles programs with the highest graduate earnings at $49,555, though students pay $16,931 in net costs. This premium reflects the program's connection to the Mid-Atlantic fashion corridor, where major retailers like DuPont and textile manufacturers maintain significant operations. At the opposite end, New Mexico State delivers remarkable value with net costs of just $6,747, making quality education accessible in a region where outdoor recreation and technical textile industries drive demand. Florida State combines strong outcomes with reasonable pricing at $10,997 net cost while producing graduates earning $40,455 annually. The 83% graduation rate at Florida State significantly outpaces schools like Indiana State at 41.10%, highlighting how program quality varies across institutions. California and North Carolina emerge as particularly strong markets for apparel programs, with multiple universities offering solid return on investment in states where fashion, entertainment, and textile manufacturing create varied career pathways.
50
Programs
$6,747 – $46,253
Net Price Range
$36,030
Avg. Program Earnings
66.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Apparel and Textiles Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,747 $26,353 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
2 $10,997 $40,455 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
3 $10,170 $37,054 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
4 $12,909 $42,682 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
5 $12,882 $40,768 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
6 $15,342 $45,249 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
7 $11,580 $33,993 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
8 $16,931 $49,555 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
9 $14,609 $41,565 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
10 $15,288 $41,565 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
11 $16,928 $43,426 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
12 $13,782 $33,993 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
13 $14,715 $36,042 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
14 $16,334 $39,909 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
15 $12,188 $29,685 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
16 $10,916 $26,585 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
17 $17,525 $42,309 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
18 $18,292 $42,012 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
19 $14,401 $32,925 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
20 $16,378 $37,208 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
21 $16,514 $37,208 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
22 $17,883 $39,729 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
23 $19,678 $43,575 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
24 $12,599 $27,536 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
25 $18,165 $39,585 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
26 $14,981 $31,670 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
27 $17,722 $36,848 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
28 $19,889 $41,007 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
29 $14,773 $30,409 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
30 $19,037 $39,009 $37,732 56.6% 96.5%
31 $17,218 $34,847 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
32 $13,181 $26,519 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
33 $22,024 $43,638 $6,170 83.3% 52.8%
34 $17,424 $34,420 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
35 $19,899 $38,829 $16,408 71.0% 76.4%
36 $16,698 $31,852 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
37 $16,487 $31,423 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
38 $20,413 $38,829 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
39 $19,568 $36,848 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
40 $18,833 $34,526 $8,812 70.2% 72.5%
41 $17,139 $31,133 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
42 $17,502 $31,719 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
43 $18,701 $33,637 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
44 $16,531 $27,126 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%
45 $18,219 $29,685 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
46 $22,150 $35,327 $11,900 73.7% 80.1%
47 $20,332 $31,855 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
48 $16,177 $23,456 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
49 $23,897 $33,993 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
50 $46,253 $41,937 $59,760 88.5% 17.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Delaware worth the higher cost for apparel and textiles students?

Delaware graduates earn $49,555 annually, the highest among all programs, which justifies the $16,931 net cost. The 78.80% graduation rate indicates strong program completion, while the school's proximity to major fashion and chemical textile companies provides internship and job opportunities. Students typically graduate with $22,250 in debt, reasonable given the earning potential in the region.

How do graduation rates affect value in apparel and textiles programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from 41.10% at Indiana State to 89.30% at Wisconsin-Madison, directly impacting program value. Florida State achieves 83% graduation rates while maintaining net costs under $11,000, making it strong value. Schools with rates below 50% like Northern Illinois at 49.60% may signal program challenges despite reasonable costs.

Is the West Coast a good region for affordable apparel education?

California schools offer mixed value with San Francisco State at $12,882 net cost producing $40,768 in earnings, while Cal Poly Pomona costs $11,580 with graduates earning $33,993. UC Davis commands $15,288 in costs but maintains an 85.10% graduation rate. The state's fashion and entertainment industries create strong job markets for graduates.

Does attending a larger university improve outcomes in apparel programs?

Large universities like Wisconsin-Madison and Indiana University-Bloomington show strong performance with graduation rates of 89.30% and 81.20% respectively. However, smaller programs like Northern Iowa achieve solid 68.90% graduation rates with graduates earning $41,565. University size matters less than program quality and regional industry connections.

Where can students find the lowest debt loads for apparel degrees?

Cal Poly Pomona graduates carry just $11,600 in average debt while earning $33,993, offering excellent debt-to-income ratios. Central Washington University students graduate with $17,249 in debt, and San Francisco State averages $17,625. Florida State provides strong value with $17,750 debt and $40,455 earnings, creating manageable repayment scenarios.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.