Apparel and Textiles at Central Washington University

Central Washington University's apparel and textiles graduates earn $51,494 their first year out—nearly 40% above the national median for this field and roughly $11,000 more than Washington State University's program. That's exceptional for a field that typically pays around $37,000 nationally. The debt load at $19,444 is also impressively low, giving graduates a very manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38.

There's an important caveat here: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, which means these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. The program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile within Washington, suggesting the state overall has strong outcomes in this field—Central Washington isn't a standout locally, but it's still performing solidly. The combination of accessible admission (90% acceptance rate) and strong financial outcomes makes this an interesting option for students who know they want this career path.

If your child is serious about apparel and textiles, this program delivers strong earnings with minimal debt. Just understand that the small graduate cohort means individual experiences may vary more than they would at a larger program, and you're looking at numbers that could represent a particularly successful group of students rather than a guaranteed outcome.