Apparel & Textiles at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Los Angeles, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Apparel and Textiles

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 & 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 & 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 & Textiles connects to 3 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
40
Score
42
High End
Earnings $28,863/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$507K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
7.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$68,650
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,482
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,715
62% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Apparel & 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%
Marketing managers
$161,030
+6.6% growth 50% AI-proof
Materials scientists
$104,160
+4.9% growth 52% AI-proof
Fashion designers
$80,690
+2.0% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

Apparel & Textiles Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Apparel & Textiles — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and 1 other schools.

Read the full Apparel & Textiles career guide →

Compare & Explore

Apparel & Textiles Overview

Apparel & 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's Apparel & Textiles program score?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Apparel & Textiles. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How vulnerable is Apparel & Textiles to AI automation?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $301,971 in decade earnings vs $506,508 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Apparel & Textiles program at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising?
There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Apparel & Textiles occupations, such as Fur Designer and Interior Designer. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Apparel & Textiles graduates?
The career paths mapped to Apparel & Textiles have roughly 133,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →