Apparel and Textiles at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

LSU's Apparel and Textiles program produces startlingly low first-year earnings—$26,004 puts graduates in the bottom 5% nationally for this degree, earning nearly $11,000 less than the national median. While it ranks at the 60th percentile in Louisiana, that's only because there's just one other program in the state to compare against, and both produce similar outcomes. At this earnings level, graduates are making barely more than the poverty threshold for a family of four, which raises serious questions about return on investment.

The debt picture adds to the concern. With $23,307 in median debt and a 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates are carrying nearly a full year's salary in loans. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, monthly payments would consume roughly 11% of their gross income—a heavy burden for someone earning $26,000. The fashion and textile industry does offer growth potential over time, but starting this far behind makes building financial stability difficult.

For Louisiana families, this is a tough call. If your child is passionate about fashion merchandising or textile design and has strong industry connections or entrepreneurial plans, LSU's flagship status and lower in-state tuition might make sense. But the earnings data suggests most graduates struggle financially in their first year. Unless there's a clear path to higher-paying opportunities through internships or family connections in the industry, the financial risk here is substantial compared to the typical bachelor's degree.