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Apparel and Textiles at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $51,494/yr (43% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)

ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #15 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Apparel and Textiles graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$545K	$539K	$500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.8x	14.7x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.1x	5.0x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	57	56	53

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,768

Out-of-state: $107,084 (5.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,860

-60% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,249

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,884

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

At $51,494 per year, Apparel and Textiles graduates from Central Washington University significantly outpace the $35,960 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 14.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Apparel and Textiles career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $17,249 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #15 ranking among 53 Apparel and Textiles programs places Central Washington University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Central Washington University

With 90% of applicants admitted, Central Washington University prioritizes broad access, serving 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington University →

Top Career Paths

Marketing managers $161,030/yr

Materials scientists $104,160/yr

Fashion designers $80,690/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Apparel and Textiles at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Washington University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Apparel and Textiles at Central Washington University?

At 56/100, Central Washington University's Apparel and Textiles program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Apparel and Textiles at Central Washington University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →