Apparel and Textiles at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,111/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 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 $529K $525K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.0x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 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)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,091
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,111/yr, roughly in line with the $35,960 national median for Apparel and Textiles. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $37,111 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #27 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs, The University of Alabama falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $37,111 to $52,091 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 The University of Alabama

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 The University of Alabama?
A score of 47/100 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 $488,402 in decade earnings vs $528,725 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →