Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $34,315 track close to the $35,960 national median for Apparel and Textiles programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 $22,612 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,315 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #35 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs, University of Kentucky falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $34,315 to $51,301 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.