Apparel and Textiles at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's apparel and textiles program produces graduates earning $28,911 in their first year—about $7,500 below the national median for this major and even trailing the Georgia state median by roughly $1,300. While this places the program in the 40th percentile among Georgia schools (which only has two programs total), it lands in just the 15th percentile nationally. The concerning part isn't just the low starting salary; it's that graduates carry $29,250 in debt, which actually exceeds their first-year earnings. This debt load sits in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs burden students with less debt.

The modest 9% earnings growth to $31,386 by year four offers little relief. Even after four years of experience, graduates still earn less than the national first-year median for this field. For context, Savannah College of Art and Design's similar program starts graduates at $31,574—nearly matching Georgia Southern's four-year mark right out of the gate.

For a parent, this combination demands careful consideration. If your child is passionate about fashion and textiles and has strong financial support (minimizing loans), this accessible program could work. But if significant borrowing is required, the numbers suggest that nearly $30,000 in debt against sub-$30,000 starting salaries creates real financial strain in those crucial early career years. Look hard at scholarship opportunities or consider the alternatives before committing.