Apparel and Textiles at Indiana University-Bloomington

Among Indiana's five schools offering apparel and textiles degrees, IU-Bloomington graduates earn 50% more than the state median of $39,921, placing them in the 80th percentile statewide. But the national picture is even more striking: these graduates out-earn 95% of apparel programs nationwide, pulling in $50,264 in year one compared to the $36,945 national median. That's nearly $10,000 above even the 75th percentile mark. The program manages this while keeping debt below the national median—$20,500 versus $24,750—creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 that's genuinely manageable for most families.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy too, with a 19% increase to $60,013 by year four. While a moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, the consistency of these results suggests the program has strong industry connections or targets high-value segments of the fashion and textile industry. For context, the next-highest earner among Indiana's apparel programs sits at just $29,578, making IU's premium immediately clear.

For an anxious parent, this is one of those rare cases where a creative major delivers genuinely competitive earnings. The combination of top-percentile income, below-average debt, and continued salary growth makes this program worth serious consideration—especially for in-state students who can further reduce costs.