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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the early-career earnings of their apparel textile studies graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose apparel textile studies graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Arkansas tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,634.
Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $59,543 a year early in their careers.
Auburn University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in apparel textile studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Auburn University is a public school located in the city of Auburn. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of Auburn University earn a median of about $62,650 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #4 place for apparel textile studies. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,467.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Alabama one of the highest-paying schools for apparel textile studies. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. After graduating, apparel textile studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama typically earn about $52,091 annually.
Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #6 for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career apparel textile studies graduates from Savannah College Of Art And Design make a median of around $57,108 per year.
University Of Kentucky landed the #7 spot for apparel textile studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of about $51,301 a year early in their careers.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,936.
Appalachian State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for apparel textile studies. Appalachian State University is a public school located in the town of Boone. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,820.
Western Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,614.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #11 for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Early-career apparel textile studies graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $48,625 per year.
Liberty University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying apparel textile studies schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the apparel textile studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,183.
Georgia Southern University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for apparel textile studies. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Early-career apparel textile studies graduates from Georgia Southern University make a median of around $41,209 per year.
Mississippi State University earned the #14 position for apparel textile studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. After graduating, apparel textile studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University typically earn about $31,352 annually.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for apparel textile studies. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Apparel Textile Studies graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of about $26,004 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries apparel textile studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 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.
