Apparel and Textiles at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC Greensboro's apparel and textiles program manages to command higher debt than its North Carolina peers while delivering stronger earnings—a tradeoff that ultimately favors students. At $40,059 starting out, graduates earn about 8% more than the state median and match the national 75th percentile, placing them ahead of competitors at Appalachian State and well ahead of East Carolina's $32,418. The $26,000 in median debt translates to a 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of salary—manageable territory for a field not known for blockbuster starting salaries.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching $42,607 by year four. For a program serving nearly half its students from Pell Grant backgrounds, these outcomes represent genuine economic mobility. The relatively high admission rate and accessible SAT range suggest UNCG isn't filtering for only the most privileged applicants, yet still delivers above-average results in a competitive fashion and textile industry landscape.

This program works for students serious about the apparel industry who value UNCG's established industry connections—the school sits in North Carolina's historic textile corridor. The debt premium over cheaper alternatives pays off in stronger starting salaries, though families should verify the student has genuine career commitment rather than just casual interest in fashion.