Apparel and Textiles at Indiana State University

Indiana State's Apparel and Textiles program shows substantial earnings growth—graduates see their income jump 44% from $29,578 to $42,656 over four years—but the starting salary lags considerably behind other options in the state. At $39,921, Indiana's median for this major is 35% higher than what ISU graduates earn initially, and Indiana University-Bloomington graduates start at $50,264. Among the five Indiana schools offering this program, ISU ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings.

The $26,000 debt load is relatively modest and manageable given the earnings trajectory. By year four, when graduates are earning in the low $40,000s, that debt represents a more reasonable burden. However, those first few years after graduation will be financially tight, with debt nearly matching that first year's income. The program serves a large population of Pell-eligible students (39%), so families should carefully consider whether their graduate can weather those lean early years.

The critical caveat: this data comes from a very small sample of graduates, making these numbers less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. For families considering this path, the upside is clear income growth paired with below-average debt. The downside is a slow start compared to what's available elsewhere in Indiana, and uncertainty about whether these outcomes will hold for future graduates.