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Apparel and Textiles at Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $14,537/yr (-60% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)
ROI 1.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #50 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 $318K $337K $346K
Earnings Multiple 1.3x 1.4x 1.4x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$239,040
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$185,012
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
22.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $14,537 per year, Apparel and Textiles graduates from Rhode Island School of Design earn below the $35,960 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

An earnings multiple of 1.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the -9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $14,537 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #50 out of 53 programs, Rhode Island School of Design's financial outcomes for Apparel and Textiles trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Rhode Island School of Design

With just 14% of applicants admitted, Rhode Island School of Design ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a smaller student body of 2,090 in Providence, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at Rhode Island School of Design →

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

Compare this program → View all 53 schools offering Apparel and Textiles →

Apparel and Textiles at Other Schools

Central Washington University ($51,494) Utah State University ($51,221) Indiana University-Bloomington ($50,264) University of Delaware ($47,760) University of Northern Iowa ($44,647) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($41,827) Florida State University ($41,130) University of Arkansas ($40,948)

Other Majors at Rhode Island School of Design

Architectural Sciences and Technology ($55,673) Systems Science and Theory ($34,265) Design and Applied Arts ($29,489) Woodworking ($19,151) Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($17,701) Fine and Studio Arts ($16,510)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Apparel and Textiles trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rhode Island School of Design's Apparel and Textiles program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Apparel and Textiles. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Rhode Island School of Design Apparel and Textiles graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.9x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Apparel and Textiles to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Apparel and Textiles careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Apparel and Textiles earnings lower at Rhode Island School of Design?
Lower starting pay at Rhode Island School of Design may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →