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Apparel and Textiles at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,852/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #29 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs

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	$560K	$552K	$510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.9x	10.7x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,584

Out-of-state: $135,004 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,328

-58% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,563

6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,279

59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,852/yr, Apparel and Textiles graduates from Colorado State University-Fort Collins land near the $35,960 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Apparel and Textiles programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Apparel and Textiles's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,563 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,852 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #29 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $55,279 show a 59% jump from the $34,852 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

With 90% of applicants admitted, Colorado State University-Fort Collins prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 25,148 students in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

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

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Apparel and Textiles at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?

A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Apparel and Textiles. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Apparel and Textiles careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $509,660 in decade earnings vs $560,181 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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