by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Apparel & Textile Manufacture explores Apparel And Textile Manufacture. A Program That Focuses On The Design, Development, And Production Of Textile Products And Related Processes And Systems. Includes Instruction In Functional And Aesthetic Design, Human Factors Research, Production Planning, Manufacturing Processes, Quality Assessment, And Distribution Systems. Continue reading for the key facts every apparel & textile manufacture student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering apparel & textile manufacture programs.
Nationwide, apparel & textile manufacture is a widely-pursued major, with 313 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Apparel & Textile Manufacture Schools ranking analyzes these 22 schools to determine the best overall colleges for apparel & textile manufacture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of apparel & textile manufacture programs later in this article.
Coursework for Apparel & Textile Manufacture build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations apparel & textile manufacture graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a apparel & textile manufacture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a apparel & textile manufacture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several apparel & textile manufacture degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 46 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 85 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 151 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 31 |
People currently working in careers related to apparel & textile manufacture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 32.4% |
| Master’s degree | 24.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in apparel & textile manufacture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying apparel & textile manufacture opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to apparel & textile manufacture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to apparel & textile manufacture.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 354,760 | 3.9% |
| Fashion Designers | 259,478 | -2.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of apparel & textile manufacture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,627 |
| 4 years | $47,471 |
| 5 years | $55,819 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for apparel & textile manufacture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers apparel & textile manufacture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Fashion Designers | $53,057 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $38,392 |
With 22 different apparel & textile manufacture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased apparel & textile manufacture school rankings to help you.
Students interested in apparel & textile manufacture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Apparel and Textiles, General | 1,745 |
| Apparel and Textile Marketing Management | 595 |
| Fashion and Fabric Consultant | 41 |
| Apparel and Textiles, Other | 12 |
| Textile Science | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
