Apparel and Textiles at The University of Alabama

Alabama's Apparel and Textiles program sits squarely in the middle of national outcomes but lags behind other options within the state. While graduates start at $37,111—nearly identical to the national median—they earn about $100 less than the state median and trail Auburn's program by several hundred dollars. Among the three Alabama schools offering this degree, this ranks 40th percentile, meaning another in-state option likely delivers better value. The $25,000 in typical debt is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that shouldn't overwhelm most graduates.

The 18% earnings growth to $43,877 by year four is solid but unremarkable for a career-focused major. These numbers position graduates in retail management, merchandising, or product development roles—respectable outcomes but not exceptional. Given Alabama's affordable tuition for in-state students, the debt load stays reasonable, though the earnings trajectory suggests this won't be a high-income field. The relatively low percentage of Pell grant recipients (18%) at Alabama may indicate limited diversity in the student body.

For families choosing between Alabama schools, Auburn appears to edge ahead in early earnings. If your student is set on this field and already planning to attend Alabama for other reasons, the program works—debt is reasonable and outcomes are typical. But if fashion or textile design is the sole draw, comparing in-state alternatives makes sense before committing.