Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $50,264 put Indiana University-Bloomington's Apparel and Textiles program 40% above the national median of $35,960 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 13.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Apparel and Textiles career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $50,264 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Indiana University-Bloomington ranks #1 among 53 Apparel and Textiles programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 44% earnings increase from $50,264 to $72,226 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.