Location: Maryville, MO•In-State Tuition: $10,181•Out-of-State Tuition: $16,623•Admission Rate: 86%•Avg SAT: 1090
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,945
Est. from national median (53 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,750
Est. from national median (48 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in Apparel and Textiles at Northwest Missouri State carries an estimated $24,750 in debt—just below the national median for this field—while peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,945. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 sits in reasonable territory, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans within about eight months of gross income. However, it's worth noting that Missouri's median for this field runs slightly higher at $37,940, and the state's flagship program at Mizzou reports actual earnings above $40,000, suggesting this estimated figure may be conservative for what Missouri graduates actually achieve.

The bigger question is whether apparel and textiles degrees broadly provide enough earning power relative to their cost. Even the top programs in this field rarely crack $45,000 in first-year earnings, and national data shows limited variation—most programs cluster tightly around that $37,000 mark. For a field where creativity and portfolio often matter more than pedigree, parents should consider whether this particular credential offers advantages over lower-cost alternatives like associate degrees or certificate programs that might lead to similar entry-level positions.

The takeaway: this program's estimated financials appear workable but unremarkable, with debt that's manageable if those earnings estimates hold. Before committing, compare the specific coursework and industry connections Northwest offers against Missouri State and Mizzou to understand what differentiates this program beyond the numbers.

Where Northwest Missouri State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all apparel and textiles bachelors's programs nationally

Northwest Missouri State University (estimated ±10%)Other apparel and textiles programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Apparel and Textiles bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (5 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville$10,181$36,945*—$24,750*—
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia$14,130$40,176*$60,008$25,000*0.62
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield$9,024$35,703*$45,525$27,000*0.76
National Median—$36,945*—$24,750*0.67
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with apparel and textiles graduates

Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Materials Scientists

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.

$86,620/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in childcare, family relations, finance, nutrition, and related subjects pertaining to home management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Farm and Home Management Educators

Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northwest Missouri State University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 53 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.