Skip to main content

Cheapest Apparel and Textiles Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Ohio University operates four regional campuses that dominate the most affordable end of apparel and textiles education, with net costs ranging from just $4,503 to $6,483 annually. These campuses in Saint Clairsville, Ironton, Zanesville, Lancaster, and Chillicothe make Ohio a surprising leader in accessible fashion education despite graduation rates hovering between 12% and 20%. The state benefits from its proximity to major apparel manufacturing hubs in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, plus growing textile recycling operations throughout the Midwest. Students can complete their degrees for roughly half the cost of programs at Florida State University, which charges $10,997 but delivers an impressive 83% graduation rate. California State University-Fresno offers another affordable option at $6,480 with a 95% acceptance rate, reflecting the Golden State's massive fashion industry that employs over 140,000 workers from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $17,218
Net Price Range
$34,903
Avg. Program Earnings
56.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Apparel and Textiles Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
3 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
4 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
5 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
6 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
7 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
8 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
9 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
10 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
11 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
12 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
13 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
14 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
15 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
16 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
17 $12,209 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
18 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
19 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
20 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
21 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
22 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
23 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
24 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
25 $14,224 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
26 $14,229 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
27 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
28 $14,609 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
29 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
30 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
31 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
32 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
33 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
34 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
35 $15,501 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
36 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
37 $15,745 $10,314 38.7% 54.9%
38 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
39 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
40 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
41 $16,334 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
42 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
43 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
44 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
45 $16,531 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%
46 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
47 $16,928 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
48 $16,931 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
49 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
50 $17,218 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ohio University's regional campuses so affordable for apparel and textiles?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer identical in-state tuition of $6,178, but net costs drop as low as $4,503 at the Eastern Campus due to generous financial aid packages. These smaller campuses serve rural communities where living costs remain low compared to main campus locations. However, students should note that graduation rates at these regional sites range from just 12% to 20%, significantly below the national average for four-year institutions.

How do earnings compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

New Mexico State University graduates earn a median of $26,353 annually despite the program costing only $6,747, while Florida State University graduates command $40,455 with a net cost of $10,997. This represents a potential return on investment difference of over $14,000 in annual earning power. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona offers middle ground with graduates earning $33,993 at a cost of $11,580.

Is Brigham Young University-Idaho really affordable for out-of-state students?

BYU-Idaho charges just $4,656 in published tuition regardless of residency status, making it exceptionally affordable for non-Utah residents compared to typical out-of-state costs. The net price of $7,131 includes room, board, and other expenses, still placing it among the cheapest options nationally. The university maintains a 55% graduation rate, substantially higher than the Ohio University regional campuses while keeping costs competitive.

Does geographic location affect job prospects for apparel and textiles graduates?

Programs in California, North Carolina, and Florida provide access to major fashion industry employers, with California alone hosting over 140,000 apparel jobs. North Carolina remains a textile manufacturing center, while Florida serves the cruise line and resort wear markets. Ohio's regional programs, despite low costs, may require graduates to relocate for optimal career opportunities in major fashion centers.

Where can students find the best balance of affordability and graduation success?

California State University-Fresno offers strong value with a $6,480 net cost and 55% graduation rate, plus access to California's massive fashion industry. University of North Carolina at Greensboro provides excellent outcomes with a 58% graduation rate at $10,170, while graduates earn $37,054 annually. BYU-Idaho combines affordability at $7,131 with a solid 55% graduation rate for students comfortable with the university's religious environment.

More Apparel and Textiles Rankings

Best Value Apparel and Textiles Apparel and Textiles Under $20,000

Related

All Apparel and Textiles Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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