Textile Sciences and Engineering Degree
Students study fiber science, fabric manufacturing processes, dyeing chemistry, and the engineering of textiles for apparel, medical, automotive, and aerospace applications. Graduates typically pursue careers in technical textile development, quality assurance, product development at apparel companies, and advanced materials firms. Modern textile engineering extends far beyond clothing into high-performance materials for bulletproof vests, medical implants, and composites.
What Textile Sciences and Engineering Graduates Do
Your degree in Textile Sciences and Engineering places you at the forefront of material innovation. You’ll likely start your career as a materials engineer, working hands-on to solve tangible problems. One day you might be in a lab testing the heat resistance of fibers for firefighter gear; the next, you could be on a factory floor troubleshooting a new synthetic blend for medical implants.
As you gain experience, you can progress into an architectural and engineering manager role. Here, your focus shifts from the lab bench to the boardroom. You’ll oversee R&D teams, manage project budgets, and make strategic decisions about which new textile technologies your company should invest in. For those with advanced degrees, becoming a postsecondary engineering teacher is a fast-growing alternative, where you’ll conduct research and train the next generation.
AI will be a significant partner in your work. With moderate exposure, you'll see it automate routine tasks like running thousands of material simulations or analyzing quality control data. The jobs aren't disappearing, but your focus will shift to creative problem-solving and interpreting AI-driven insights, making adaptability key to your success.
Common Career Paths
Where Textile Sciences and Engineering graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 20,100 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Salary Range | Openings/yr | Growth | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and engineering managers | 14,500 | +3.8% | 41% | |
| Materials engineers | 1,500 | +5.7% | 49% | |
| Engineering teachers, postsecondary | 4,100 | +8.1% | 50% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Best Schools for Textile Sciences and Engineering
1 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC |
59 59–60 |
$45,078/yr | 19.0x |
Highest Earning Textile Sciences and Engineering Programs
Schools where Textile Sciences and Engineering graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $45,078/yr | 59 |
Best ROI for Textile Sciences and Engineering
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Textile Sciences and Engineering.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 19.0x | $45,078/yr | 59 |
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