Apparel and Textiles at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree
TradeSchoolWorth Score (Base Case)
42
Strong Growth
39
Base Case
34
Conservative
Earnings
$28,863/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof
Moderate (53% shielded)
Job Market
Very Large (133,800 openings/yr)
Future-Proof Earnings
Three scenarios modeling future earnings based on technology adoption rates and job market trends for Apparel and Textiles graduates.
| Strong Growth Full Stability |
Base Case Moderate Changes |
Conservative Max Disruption |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $526K | $325K | $208K |
| Earnings Multiple | 7.7x | 4.7x | 3.0x |
| Viable Career Paths | 8 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 7 of 8 |
| TradeSchoolWorth Score | 42 | 39 | 34 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as technology and market conditions evolve over time.
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
Career Paths
Where Apparel and Textiles graduates typically work. Raw data — no blending. The scenarios above model how these factors interact. This field has roughly 133,800 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Wage | Openings/yr | Growth | AI-Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing managers | $161,030 | 34,300 | +6.6% | 50% |
| Materials scientists | $104,160 | 600 | +4.9% | 52% |
| Fashion designers | $80,690 | 2,300 | +2.0% | 61% |
| Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary | $77,280 | 200 | +3.4% | 46% |
| Market research analysts and marketing specialists | $76,950 | 87,200 | +6.7% | 45% |
| Fabric and apparel patternmakers | $67,670 | 300 | -10.2% | 53% |
| Interior designers | $63,490 | 7,800 | +3.2% | 50% |
| Farm and home management educators | $58,120 | 1,100 | -2.5% | 63% |
Compare & Explore
Apparel and Textiles Overview
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TradeSchoolWorth Score for Apparel and Textiles at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising?
This program scores 39/100 in the Base Case scenario, factoring in earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and earnings multiple. The score ranges from 34 (conservative) to 42 (strong growth) depending on market conditions.
How AI-proof is a career in Apparel and Textiles?
We model three scenarios: Strong Growth (full career stability), Base Case (moderate changes), and Conservative (maximum disruption). In the base case, Apparel and Textiles graduates retain 8 of 8 viable career paths. 10-year earnings range from $208,459 (conservative) to $526,316 (strong growth).
How many job openings are there for Apparel and Textiles graduates?
The career paths mapped to Apparel and Textiles have roughly 133,800 combined job openings per year nationally, making this a very large job market.
Is Apparel and Textiles at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising worth it?
In the Base Case, this program earns 4.7x its tuition over 10 years. Even in the Conservative scenario, the multiple is 3.0x. The narrow spread between scenarios shows how stable trade careers are compared to desk jobs.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024-2034
(employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE.
Scenarios model earnings resilience using AI exposure data and BLS job growth projections.
"Earnings Multiple" is total 10-year projected earnings divided by tuition — not a discounted financial ROI.
Last updated 2026.