Apparel and Textilesat Wayne State University
Graduates earn $26,490/yr in their first year — about 26.0% below the national Apparel and Textiles average. Base-case 10-year earnings $464K; scenarios range from $442K to $460K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Wayne State University
The outcomes you're seeing for Apparel and Textiles at Wayne State reflect a challenging landscape, particularly for a program in the Midwest. Detroit isn't a major hub for high-end fashion design or large-scale textile manufacturing, meaning the local job market often leans towards retail management, visual merchandising, or product development for smaller, regional brands rather than global fashion houses.
Many graduates find themselves in roles where salary growth is modest, often competing with broader business or marketing degrees. The high AI risk associated with this field further indicates that many entry and mid-level tasks in design, trend analysis, and pattern making are increasingly augmented or automated. To thrive, you'll need to actively seek out internships in larger markets or consider combining this degree with a strong business, marketing, or supply chain minor to broaden your appeal and unlock more resilient career pathways.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Wayne State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Apparel and Textiles
How Wayne State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Wayne State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wayne State University, 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 →Frequently asked about Apparel and Textiles at Wayne State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Apparel and Textiles at Wayne State University?
A score of 28/100 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 $441,861 in decade earnings vs $459,861 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Apparel and Textiles from Wayne State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.