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Apparel and Textiles at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,176/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #12 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs Top 25%

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	$672K	$652K	$585K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.9x	11.5x	10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.9x	4.7x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	58	57	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,520

Out-of-state: $137,352 (4.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$79,556

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,932

7.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,924

77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $40,176 per year, Apparel and Textiles graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia earn slightly above the $35,960 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 11.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,932 debt-to-$40,176 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #12 out of 53 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's Apparel and Textiles program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $40,176 to $70,924 over five years (77% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

With 77% of applicants admitted, University of Missouri-Columbia prioritizes broad access, with 23,118 students enrolled in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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 University of Missouri-Columbia

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

How does University of Missouri-Columbia's Apparel and Textiles program score?

This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Apparel and Textiles graduates.

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 does University of Missouri-Columbia rank so high for Apparel and Textiles?

The #12 ranking out of 53 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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