Apparel and Textiles at Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ohio University-Southern's Apparel and Textiles program produces graduates who earn nearly $40,000 right out of school—about $3,000 above the national median for this field and matching Ohio's state median. The trajectory looks solid too, with earnings climbing to $45,155 by year four, representing 13% growth. Within Ohio, this program sits right at the state median alongside several other Ohio University campuses, while nationally it lands in the 74th percentile. That's meaningful in a field where many programs struggle to break $37,000 in starting earnings.

The $24,750 in debt translates to a 0.62 ratio against first-year earnings—manageable territory. For context, graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under eight months if they dedicated half their take-home pay, though few do that in practice. The debt sits at the national median for this program, so neither a bargain nor a burden compared to alternatives.

The real question is whether your child sees a long-term future in apparel and textiles. The earnings here start modestly and grow steadily but won't match what engineering or healthcare graduates command. For students passionate about fashion, merchandising, or textile design, this program delivers better-than-average outcomes at a reasonable price. If they're uncertain about the field, that $24,750 debt becomes harder to justify on $40,000 starting pay.