Apparel and Textiles at University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowa's apparel program posts first-year earnings of $44,647—well above the national median of $36,945 and even outpacing Iowa State's $40,849. That 95th percentile national ranking is genuinely impressive for a fashion-focused degree. The $21,250 debt load is reasonable, translating to a manageable 0.48 ratio that should allow graduates to handle payments comfortably.

The significant caveat here: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, so these numbers could shift dramatically with a larger sample. More concerning is the earnings flatline—$44,647 at year one drops slightly to $44,135 by year four. While the debt-to-earnings picture remains workable, there's no financial growth trajectory evident in these numbers. This isn't necessarily uncommon in apparel careers, where advancement often requires either relocating to fashion hubs or shifting into management roles, but it's worth understanding upfront.

For students passionate about fashion who want to stay in the Midwest, this program appears to deliver solid entry-level outcomes without burying graduates in debt. Just recognize you're evaluating a small cohort's experience, and that stagnant earnings pattern may reflect either regional market realities or the particular career paths this handful of graduates chose. The value proposition works if your child wants fashion industry access at a reasonable price point and understands salary growth will likely require strategic career moves.