Apparel and Textiles at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State's apparel and textiles program places solidly in the middle of what this field typically delivers, with one notable advantage: graduates carry less debt than most peers. Starting at $36,945 and reaching $38,381 by year four, earnings match the national median exactly while ranking in the 60th percentile among North Carolina's three programs—ahead of East Carolina but behind UNC Greensboro. The modest growth over four years reflects industry realities more than program quality.

The real story here is the debt load. At $26,000, it sits in the 25th percentile nationally, meaning 75% of similar programs leave students with more to repay. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio falls into manageable territory for an industry where starting salaries typically hover in the mid-$30,000s. For families concerned about fashion merchandising or product development careers, this program won't saddle graduates with outsized debt relative to what they'll earn.

The caveat: these numbers come from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs. But if your child is drawn to textiles and wants to stay in-state, Appalachian State offers a cost-effective path into the field without the debt burden that could make those early-career years financially stressful.