by our College Data Analytics Team
[Textile & Apparel Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/apparel-textile-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 137 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for textile & apparel studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in textile & apparel studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Santa Monica College, our #1 best value for textile & apparel studies in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in textile & apparel studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the textile & apparel studies program here. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in textile & apparel studies will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for textile & apparel studies graduates is $9,384. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in textile & apparel studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Typical student debt for textile & apparel studies graduates is $24,036. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fashion Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for textile & apparel studies. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical student debt for textile & apparel studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $40,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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Academy Of Art University placed #6 among the best values for textile & apparel studies. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the textile & apparel studies program here. Soon after graduation, textile & apparel studies degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $27,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in textile & apparel studies this year. Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $35,000 in tuition and fees. Textile & Apparel Studies graduates carry a median of $19,133 in student loans. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $28,863. Set against $19,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Explore the best-value textile & apparel studies schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.