2026 Best Value General Apparel & Textiles Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Apparel & Textiles](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/apparel-textile-studies/apparel-and-textiles-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general apparel & textiles education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools to find the best return on investment for general apparel & textiles students.
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2026 Best Value General Apparel & Textiles Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general apparel & textiles, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Apparel & Textiles Schools
For return on investment in general apparel & textiles, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, general apparel & textiles degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general apparel & textiles will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for general apparel & textiles. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $20,100 in student loans. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $41,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for general apparel & textiles. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $26,968. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general apparel & textiles, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #6 spot for general apparel & textiles value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general apparel & textiles degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $40,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #7 spot for general apparel & textiles value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $11,764 in student loans. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $38,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #8 position for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. Soon after graduation, general apparel & textiles degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $30,082. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $27,000. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $36,635. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $20,500. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $50,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington State University placed #11 among the best values for general apparel & textiles. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $19,500. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $40,081 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #12 position for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $22,845. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $48,181. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #13 for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general apparel & textiles degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Idaho came in at #14 for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $23,844. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mississippi State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $31,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Delaware ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general apparel & textiles degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $47,760. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
East Carolina University landed the #17 spot for general apparel & textiles value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. Soon after graduation, general apparel & textiles degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $32,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #18 among the best values for general apparel & textiles. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $36,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $26,000. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $33,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Framingham State University came in at #20 for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $31,574 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #21 position for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $34,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University came in at #22 for value in general apparel & textiles this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $28,911. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general apparel & textiles program here. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $34,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #24 spot for general apparel & textiles value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general apparel & textiles graduates is $25,225. General Apparel & Textiles graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $40,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,225 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general apparel & textiles schools. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. General Apparel & Textiles graduates carry a median of $26,248 in student loans. Early-career general apparel & textiles graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value General Apparel & Textiles Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general apparel & textiles this year:
Other General Apparel & Textiles Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Apparel & Textiles rankings across degree levels:
View All General Apparel & Textiles Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
