Apparel and Textiles, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Apparel and Textiles, Other.: The DTI for this program is 67.5%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Apparel and Textiles, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $35231) to the average debt ($23768) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Apparel and Textiles, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 67.5%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Apparel and Textiles, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($35231) against the typical student debt ($23768), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Apparel and Textiles, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $35231, and the average student debt is $23768, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.67—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 2961 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Apparel and Textiles, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Apparel and Textiles, Other (CIP 19.0999) is a specialized category for technical textile scientists and global supply chain strategists who focus on the high-tech and ethical frontiers of the fashion and materials industry. While a standard fashion design major focuses on aesthetics and "the look" of a garment, professionals in this "Other" category are "Material Engineers." They study smart fabrics (wearable tech), sustainable bio-materials, protective textiles for extreme environments, and the complex logistics of global manufacturing. It is a path for "technical creators" who want to reinvent how humans interact with the physical world through what they wear.
This field is ideal for "material detectives"—individuals fascinated by the chemistry of fibers, the ethics of global labor, and the way advanced textiles can solve problems in medicine, defense, and environmental conservation.
What Is an "Other" Apparel and Textiles Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied STEM-heavy path that emphasizes textile chemistry, polymer science, and industrial engineering. You will study the "Textile Core"—fiber properties, weaving, and dyeing—but your focus will be on specialized or industrial applications. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Biomedical Textiles (implants and sutures), Eco-Forensics in the Supply Chain, or the development of Nanotechnology in "Smart" Clothing. It prepares you to be a "Materials Strategist" capable of navigating the shift from "Fast Fashion" to high-performance, sustainable utility.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Textile Scientists" who develop fire-resistant, waterproof, or health-monitoring fabrics
- Develop experts in Circular Fashion Systems, focusing on how to recycle textiles at an industrial scale to eliminate waste
- Prepare professionals for Global Sourcing and Trade, navigating the legal and ethical complexities of manufacturing across different borders
- Study Anthropometrics and Ergonomics, using 3D body scanning to create garments that perfectly fit the human form in motion
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that a garment is a "technical system"; they focus on the molecular structure of fibers and the mechanical processes used to transform them into functional products.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Fiber Identification and Testing—using lab equipment to analyze strength, elasticity, and chemical resistance
- Use "Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and PLM Software" to manage the entire life cycle of a product from fiber to store
- Design Supply Chain Transparency Models—tracking raw materials to ensure they are ethically and sustainably sourced
- Perform Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)—calculating the environmental "footprint" of a textile product
- Utilize Advanced Manufacturing Techniques—including 3D knitting, ultrasonic welding, and digital printing
- Understand Consumer Behavioral Analytics—predicting how global shifts in lifestyle affect the demand for specific types of apparel
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of organic chemistry, business ethics, and engineering:
- Technical Textiles: The study of fabrics used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.
- Polymer and Color Science: The chemistry of synthetic fibers and the environmental impact of industrial dyes.
- Global Apparel Economics: Analyzing how trade wars, labor laws, and currency shifts affect the cost of clothing.
- Sustainable Material Innovation: Exploring alternatives like mushroom leather, pineapple silk, and recycled ocean plastics.
- Wearable Technology: Integrating sensors and conductive threads into clothing for fitness and medical tracking.
- Quality Assurance and Forensic Testing: Learning how to identify counterfeits and ensure products meet safety standards.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialized engineers, supply chain leads, and sustainability directors in the apparel, defense, and medical sectors.
Common job roles include:
- Textile R&D Scientist: Creating new high-performance fabrics for brands like Patagonia, Nike, or North Face.
- Sustainability Manager: Overseeing a company’s transition to carbon-neutral materials and ethical labor practices.
- Sourcing and Logistics Director: Managing the complex movement of goods through global ports and factories.
- Product Safety and Compliance Officer: Ensuring that textiles meet international toxicity and flammability regulations.
- Technical Designer: Working at the intersection of design and engineering to ensure complex garments can actually be manufactured.
- Materials Quality Lead: Testing and certifying that raw materials meet the rigorous standards of the aerospace or medical industries.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "engineers of what we wear" in several global sectors:
- Global Athletic and Outdoor Brands: Working on the next generation of performance gear.
- Government and Defense Agencies: Designing protective uniforms and gear for the military and first responders.
- Medical Device Companies: Working on "Soft Robotics" and textile-based health monitors.
- Sustainability Consulting Firms: Helping fashion brands audit their environmental and social impact.
- Automotive and Aerospace Industries: Designing the specialized interior textiles and carbon-fiber composites used in vehicles.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the heavy emphasis on technical science and global logistics, salaries in this niche are significantly higher than in traditional fashion roles.
- Textile Research Scientists: Median annual salary of approximately $85,000–$120,000.
- Global Supply Chain/Sourcing Managers: Salaries typically range from $90,000 to $135,000+.
- Sustainability Directors: Median annual salary of around $95,000–$140,000.
- Entry-Level Lab/Quality Technicians: Often start between $58,000 and $72,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the rigorous combination of chemistry and global logistics. You must master organic chemistry to understand fiber bonds and advanced mathematics to manage global supply chains. It requires a meticulous and strategic mindset—you must be comfortable in a laboratory and a corporate boardroom. It is a major that rewards those who are "Material Visionaries" and who enjoy solving the massive environmental and ethical puzzles of the modern industrial world.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by how things are made and what they are made of
- Want to be a leader in the "Green Revolution" by fixing the world's second-most polluting industry
- Enjoy a mix of creative problem-solving and hard scientific data
- Want a career that offers international travel and a chance to work with global cultures
- Are interested in "the future of the body"—how technology and clothing will merge
How to Prepare in High School
- Take AP Chemistry and AP Physics; they are essential for understanding material properties
- Take a course in Economics or Statistics to prepare for the logistics and trade side of the major
- Learn the basics of 3D Modeling or CAD; digital design is the future of apparel engineering
- Join a club like DECA or FCCLA to practice the business and leadership skills required in the industry
- Read about The Ethics of Fast Fashion and the "Circular Economy" to see the field's challenges
The ability to apply chemical logic and global strategic mastery to the complexities of apparel and textiles is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor