Apparel and Textiles at Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,635/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)
ROI
9.8x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
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 | $443K | $449K | $431K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.7x | 9.8x | 9.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.1x | 4.2x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 54% | 48% | 36% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 40 | 39 | 39 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,614
8% growth from Year 1
About Western Kentucky University
A 97% acceptance rate means Western Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, serving 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky University →Top Career Paths
Marketing managers
$161,030/yr
Materials scientists
$104,160/yr
Fashion designers
$80,690/yr
Compare & Explore
Apparel and Textiles at Other Schools
Other Majors at Western Kentucky University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Western Kentucky University's Apparel and Textiles program score?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Apparel and Textiles. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →