Location: Logan, UT•In-State Tuition: $9,228•Out-of-State Tuition: $24,802•Admission Rate: 94%•Avg SAT: 1189
2026 ROI Award Winner
#5 Family & Consumer Sciences
Median Earnings (1yr)
$51,221
95th percentile
Median Debt
$16,125
35% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.31 ManageableSample: 39 graduates

Analysis

Utah State's Apparel and Textiles program outperforms 95% of similar programs nationally, with graduates earning $51,221 right out of college—nearly $15,000 more than the national median of $36,945. The debt load of $16,125 is equally impressive, coming in $8,625 below what graduates typically carry at other schools. This translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning students can reasonably pay off their loans in less than four months of gross income. For a field that often struggles with low starting salaries, these numbers represent exceptional preparation and placement.

The program is the only one of its kind in Utah, making direct state comparisons impossible, but the combination of strong industry connections and Utah State's affordable tuition creates real advantages. At a school with 94% admission and a modest student profile, this program punches well above its weight—likely benefiting from relationships with regional retailers, outdoor apparel manufacturers, and the tech industry's growing interest in smart fabrics.

For families worried about career prospects in fashion-adjacent fields, this program offers a concrete counterargument. Your student graduates with manageable debt and earnings that immediately support financial independence. The moderate sample size suggests consistent rather than exceptional outcomes, which actually reinforces the program's reliability as an investment.

Where Utah State University Stands

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

Utah State UniversityOther apparel and textiles programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Utah State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Utah State University earns $51k — 95th percentile among apparel and textiles bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Apparel and Textiles bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Utah State UniversityLogan$9,228$51,221—$16,1250.31
Central Washington UniversityEllensburg$9,192$51,494—$19,4440.38
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington$11,790$50,264$60,013$20,5000.41
University of DelawareNewark$16,080$47,760$56,971$23,2500.49
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls$9,728$44,647$44,135$21,2500.48
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$41,827$50,521$22,3130.53
National Median—$36,945—$24,7500.67

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 Utah State University, approximately 26% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 39 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.