2026 Best Value Textile & Apparel Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[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 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for textile & apparel studies students.
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2026 Best Value Textile & Apparel Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in textile & apparel studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Textile & Apparel Studies Schools
Harper College earned the #1 spot for value among textile & apparel studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Textile & Apparel Studies graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in textile & apparel studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the textile & apparel studies program here. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $50,264. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in textile & apparel studies will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for textile & apparel studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $26,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value textile & apparel studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Textile & Apparel Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Textile & Apparel Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $33,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value textile & apparel studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,313 to complete the textile & apparel studies program here. Soon after graduation, textile & apparel studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $41,827. Set against $22,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #6 spot for textile & apparel studies value this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $26,248 to complete the textile & apparel studies program here. Soon after graduation, textile & apparel studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $35,768. Set against $26,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #7 spot for textile & apparel studies value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the textile & apparel studies program here. Textile & Apparel Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in textile & apparel studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Textile & Apparel Studies graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career textile & apparel studies graduates make about $39,969. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.