Apparel and Textiles at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's 42% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,319 in Los Angeles, CA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $28,863 put FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's Apparel and Textiles program 34% above the national median of $21,609 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
At 6.8x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI exposure is significant at 47% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
With first-year pay of $28,863 far exceeding the $13,482 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
With only 2 programs offering Apparel and Textiles nationally, this is a niche field. FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ranks #1 among them.
Earnings growth from $28,863 to $46,715 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.
Apparel and Textiles connects to 3 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Apparel and Textiles graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing managers | $161,030 | +6.6% | 50% |
| Materials scientists | $104,160 | +4.9% | 52% |
| Fashion designers | $80,690 | +2.0% | 61% |
About Apparel and Textiles Careers
Your expertise in textiles can lead you down two main paths: the business or the creative. As a market research analyst, you’ll spend your days diving into sales data and consumer surveys to predict the next big trend. You'll use software to report on what’s selling and present your findings to guide a brand’s direction. As a fashion designer, your work is more hands-on: sketching on a tablet, sourcing fabric swatches, creating technical packets for factories, and working with patternmakers to create physical prototypes.
Compare & Explore
Apparel and Textiles Overview
Apparel and Textiles at Other Schools
Other Majors at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.