by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Apparel & Textiles involves the study of Apparel And Textiles, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Development Of Textile Products And Their Distribution And Use In Terms Of The Psychological, Social, Economic, And Physical Needs Of Consumers. Includes Instruction In The Production, Distribution, Marketing, And End Use Of Various Apparel And Textile Products. Read on to learn the essential details every general apparel & textiles major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general apparel & textiles programs.
Nationwide, general apparel & textiles is a popular field of study, with 1,745 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Apparel & Textiles Schools ranking analyzes these 67 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general apparel & textiles students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general apparel & textiles programs later in this article.
Studies in General Apparel & Textiles develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general apparel & textiles graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a general apparel & textiles program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general apparel & textiles major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general apparel & textiles 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 | 23 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 48 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,548 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 111 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
People currently working in careers related to general apparel & textiles tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 52.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general apparel & textiles careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general apparel & textiles prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general apparel & textiles.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general apparel & textiles.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general apparel & textiles graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 general apparel & textiles graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general apparel & textiles grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 67 different general apparel & textiles programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general apparel & textiles school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general apparel & textiles, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Apparel and Textile Marketing Management | 595 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacture | 313 |
| Fashion and Fabric Consultant | 41 |
| Apparel and Textiles, Other | 12 |
| Textile Science | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
