by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Textile Science explores Textile Science. A Program That Focuses On The Properties And Processing Of Fibers, Yarns, Whole Fabrics, Dyes, And Finishes, Both Natural And Synthetic. Includes Instruction In The Chemical And Physical Properties Of Textile Materials; End-Use Analysis; Interior Furnishing Applications; And Industrial Applications. Read on to learn the key facts every textile science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering textile science programs.
Across the country, textile science draws strong interest, with 5 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Textile Science Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for textile science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of textile science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Textile Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations textile science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a textile science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a textile science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several textile science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to textile science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.2% |
| Master’s degree | 27.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in textile science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in textile science prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to textile science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to textile science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Fashion Designers | 259,478 | -2.9% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
| Materials Scientists | 10,214 | 1.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of textile science 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 textile science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers textile science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Materials Scientists | $101,265 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
| Fashion Designers | $53,057 |
With 1 different textile science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased textile science school rankings to help you.
Students interested in textile science, 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 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacture | 313 |
| Fashion and Fabric Consultant | 41 |
| Apparel and Textiles, Other | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
