by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Apparel & Textiles was the 279th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,102 degrees in this year alone. This represents a small change of only -0.8% from the prior year's total of 2,118 apparel and textiles degrees awarded.
Our 2023 Best General Apparel & Textiles Schools ranking analyzes 45 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for general apparel and textiles students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of apparel and textiles programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in general apparel and textiles is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most apparel and textiles degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific apparel and textiles careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different apparel and textiles degree levels. General Apparel & Textiles programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest apparel and textiles degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a apparel and textiles degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to apparel and textiles, with approximately 58.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for apparel and textiles workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 58.6% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.9% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 6.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.5% |
About 72.4% of workers in careers related to apparel and textiles obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in general apparel and textiles have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the apparel and textiles career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your apparel and textiles degree? General Apparel & Textiles careers are expected to grow 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general apparel and textiles.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | 11,200 | 7.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for apparel and textiles graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general apparel and textiles graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers apparel and textiles grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | $52,700 |
With over 137 different apparel and textiles degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased apparel and textiles school rankings to help you with this.
General Apparel & Textiles is one of 5 different types of Textile & Apparel Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Apparel & Textile Marketing Management | 834 |
| Apparel & Textile Manufacture | 289 |
| Fashion & Fabric Consultant | 47 |
| Other Apparel & Textiles | 35 |
| Textile Science | 6 |
Image Credit: By Elisa.rolle under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
