Cost & earnings at Indiana University Bloomington What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Bachelor in Apparel and Textiles at Indiana University Bloomington is a practical, design-and-science oriented undergraduate degree for students who want to work across fashion, textile innovation and product development. It suits creative students who also want laboratory-based material knowledge, industry-facing merchandising skills and workplace experience through placements or internships.
This programme combines design, material science and business-related courses to give a rounded understanding of how textile products are conceived, developed and brought to market. Early years cover foundations in textile science (fibres, yarns, fabrics), basic apparel construction, drawing and CAD for fashion, and introduction to merchandising and consumer behaviour.
Later-year core modules typically include advanced apparel design and patternmaking, textile testing and quality assurance, materials and performance (including dyeing and finishing principles), product development and technical specification, sustainable textiles and lifecycle assessment, digital textile printing and surface design, and retailing or supply-chain management. Students usually complete a capstone or senior project that integrates design, sourcing and a business plan or technical portfolio.
Teaching methods balance studio and lab work with lectures, seminars and industry projects. Practical components include sewing and pattern workshops, textile testing labs, CAD and digital design suites, and structured internships or cooperative placements with apparel companies or retailers. Electives let students focus on areas such as sustainable materials, costume and theatre textiles, textile conservation, or fashion merchandising.
Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education with a strong academic record. Typical university entry includes satisfactory grades in a range of subjects; relevant qualifications such as A‑levels, International Baccalaureate, or equivalent are accepted. While there is no single compulsory subject, useful background includes art, design and technology, chemistry or biology, and mathematics.
Prospective students interested in the design strand are often asked to submit a small portfolio of creative work demonstrating drawing, design thinking or textile-related projects. For applicants without a portfolio, admissions may consider experience in textiles, retail or visual arts. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements through recognised tests or prior study in English.
Graduates move into a wide range of roles across the apparel and textile industries and allied sectors. Common career paths include product developer, technical designer, textile laboratory technician, quality assurance specialist, materials developer, sourcing or production coordinator, and apparel or retail merchandiser.
Other opportunities include roles in sustainable materials and lifecycle analysis, trend forecasting, costume/textile conservation, visual merchandising, buying and category management, and roles in textile testing and compliance. The programme’s mixture of practical skills and industry placement experience also prepares graduates for postgraduate study or entrepreneurship in fashion and textile start-ups.
Indiana University Bloomington provides a campus environment with access to hands-on facilities and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Students benefit from practical studios and laboratory spaces, opportunities to take complementary business and marketing modules, and links to regional industry hubs for internships and placements.
The university’s emphasis on experiential learning supports industry projects, showings and capstone collaborations with external partners. Bloomington’s creative community and proximity to larger cities with fashion and textile employers help students build professional networks. Support services for career development and study abroad options allow students to tailor their degree to specific interests within apparel, textile science and retailing.
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