Apparel and Textiles at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,490/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.1x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #52 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs

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 $460K $464K $442K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.0x 8.1x 7.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,441
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,433
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Wayne State University's Apparel and Textiles graduates start at $26,490/yr, trailing the $35,960 national average by 26%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Apparel and Textiles's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,441 represents roughly 10 months of the $26,490 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #52 of 53 Apparel and Textiles programs, Wayne State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $26,490 to $39,433 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wayne State University

A 82% acceptance rate means Wayne State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State University →

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 Wayne State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

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