Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out more about the Apparel and Textiles program at Kansas State University?

The best way to decide if K‐State's Apparel and Textiles program is right for you is to visit campus in person and set up a personalized tour of our program. We recommend that you try to schedule a visit to K‐State sometime during your junior year or early in your senior year of high school. Visits are set up through the University Admissions Office. You can find more information on how to set up your visit at: http://consider.k‐state.edu/visit/. When you make your appointment, let the admissions representative know that you also wish to visit the Apparel and Textiles program. They will coordinate a meeting with one of our AT student ambassadors who will give you a tour and answer your questions as a prospective student. During your tour, you will have an opportunity to view our facilities and see some of the student work on display. More importantly, you can speak candidly with your student guide and get a feel for what it's like to be a student in our program.

What types of curriculum and degrees does K‐State's Apparel and Textiles program offer?

All students receive a Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Textiles and specialize in the area of Apparel Marketing or Apparel Design and Production. There are core courses in Apparel and Textiles that all students are required to take, and then courses specific to each specialization. Our curriculum is based on a four year plan, however some students choose to complete both specializations in Apparel and Textiles, which typically requires an additional year of coursework. More information regarding the course requirement differences between the Apparel Marketing and Apparel Design and Production specializations can be found on the College of Human Ecology Program Requirements page.

What types of jobs are available to students upon graduation from K‐State's Apparel and Textiles program?

There are a variety of jobs and career paths available for our graduates depending on what specialization they choose. Common positions for design and production students include: assistant designer/designer positions, CAD (Computer Aided Design) artists/technical designers, patternmakers, quality assurance technicians, and product developers. Common positions for marketing students include: general marketing/advertising/public relations positions in the fashion industry, retail managers, small business owners, trend forecasters,product developers, merchandisers, buyers, stylists, fashion coordinators, and fashion journalists.

What is the typical salary for graduates of the program?

Most new graduates earn salaries of $35,000 to $45,000. Depending on their career path, they can earn 6 figures within 10 years if they are successful in their position.

What cities do Apparel and Textiles graduates typically get jobs in?

Students can gain employment in a variety of areas throughout the United States and beyond. The major cities in the U.S. that have several employment opportunities in the fashion industry include New York City, L.A., and Dallas, and our program takes study tours to these cities on a regular basis so that students can have an opportunity to visit these cities. There are also jobs in the fashion industry located in various regions throughout the country—corporate retailers have their headquarters in various cities (Gap Inc. is in San Francisco, CA; Urban Outfitters Inc. is in Philadelphia, PA; Nordstrom is in Seattle, WA, etc.) and graduates interested in retail management or small business operations can find a position wherever a retail store is located. There are several corporate headquarters located throughout the Midwest as well.

What are K‐State's Apparel and Textiles Program competitor schools and how does K‐State's program rank comparatively?

K‐State's competitor schools with Apparel and Textiles programs are Iowa State, University of Missouri, Colorado State University, Auburn University, Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University, and University of Nebraska. These schools all have similar sized programs and also offer Ph.D. programs. There is no "ranking" system for our program, but K‐State's Apparel and Textiles program ranks respectively compared to the schools mentioned above both in size and quality of program.