Home Schools University of Northern Iowa Apparel and Textiles
Family & Consumer Sciences · Apparel and Textiles Rank #6 of 53

Apparel and Textilesat University of Northern Iowa

Graduates earn $44,647/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Apparel and Textiles average. Base-case 10-year earnings $554K; scenarios range from $511K to $562K depending on AI disruption.

Cedar Falls, IA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
60
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,647
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$554K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Northern Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa's Apparel and Textiles program distinguishes itself by often focusing on the technical and business aspects of the industry, rather than solely on high-fashion design. This emphasis frequently equips graduates for roles in product development, textile science, supply chain management, or retail operations within larger corporations and specialized manufacturing firms, particularly those serving the Midwest's agricultural, industrial, or corporate uniform sectors. You'll find graduates contributing to material innovation and merchandising for companies that value practical application and efficient production. While the field faces evolving AI integration, cultivating strong analytical and managerial skills, alongside your textile knowledge, will be crucial for long-term career resilience and upward mobility.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$511K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple13.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$554K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple14.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$562K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple14.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Northern Iowa's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Apparel and Textiles graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Marketing managers
+6.6% 10-yr growth · 34,300 openings/yr
$161,030/yr
High
2
Materials scientists
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 600 openings/yr
$104,160/yr
Moderate
3
Fashion designers
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 2,300 openings/yr
$80,690/yr
Moderate
4
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$77,280/yr
High
5
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
6
Fabric and apparel patternmakers
-10.2% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$67,670/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Apparel and Textiles

How University of Northern Iowa stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Central Washington University
WA · Public
56
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
12.0x
ROI
Utah State University
UT · Public
57
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
12.9x
ROI
Top score
Indiana University-Bloomington
IN · Public
65
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
University of Delaware
DE · Public
62
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
Florida State University
FL · Public
61
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
25.3x
ROI
Also at University of Northern Iowa

Other top programs at University of Northern Iowa

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Northern Iowa, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Apparel and Textiles offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Apparel and Textiles trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Apparel and Textiles at University of Northern Iowa

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Apparel and Textiles at University of Northern Iowa?

At 59/100, University of Northern Iowa's Apparel and Textiles program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Apparel and Textiles at University of Northern Iowa?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Northern Iowa one of the best schools for Apparel and Textiles?

Among 53 Apparel and Textiles programs, University of Northern Iowa's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.