by our College Data Analytics Team
[Apparel Textile Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/apparel-textile-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where apparel textile studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose apparel textile studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Indiana University Bloomington tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $72,226 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in apparel textile studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,009.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,223.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,897.
Strong graduate earnings at Indiana State University earned it the #5 place for apparel textile studies. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of about $51,884 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $37,111 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #7 position for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,768.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Early-career apparel textile studies graduates from University Of Wisconsin Madison make a median of around $33,016 per year.
Wayne State University landed the #9 spot for apparel textile studies salaries this year. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. After graduating, apparel textile studies degree recipients from Wayne State University typically earn about $39,433 annually.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,119.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their apparel textile studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 10 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.