Apparel and Accessories Marketing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to succeed in the dynamic fashion and lifestyle industry, focusing on the end-to-end flow of apparel and accessories from production to consumer. Graduates emerge with a robust understanding of market dynamics, retail ecosystems, and consumer behavior, ready to drive effective sales and distribution outcomes in competitive environments.
- Wholesaling and Retailing Strategies: Explores the business models, logistics, and operational frameworks that govern the movement of fashion products from manufacturers to retailers and consumers, emphasizing efficiency and market reach.
- Apparel Technologies: Covers the technical aspects of fabric science, garment construction, and emerging materials, enabling informed decision-making in product development and quality assurance.
- Distribution Systems: Analyzes supply chain networks, inventory management, and transportation logistics critical to timely and cost-effective product delivery across global markets.
- Customer Sales and Service Excellence: Develops advanced interpersonal, negotiation, and service-oriented skills essential for building brand loyalty and enhancing the in-store or digital shopping experience.
- Consumer Research and Sales Forecasting: Teaches methodologies for analyzing market trends, interpreting consumer data, and predicting demand to optimize product offerings and inventory planning.
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Apparel and Accessories Marketing degrees, including Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 2,128,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 13-1161 | $76,950 | $42,070 - $144,610 | 861,140 | $37.00 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products 41-4012 | $66,780 | $37,860 - $134,470 | 1,266,860 | $32.11 |
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $54,840 in West Virginia to $86,745 in Washington—a 58% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,128,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Apparel and Accessories Marketing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering Apparel and Accessories Marketing programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Apparel and Accessories Marketing is found at Rutgers University, Newark (25 graduates), Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (13 graduates), Kirkwood Community College (6 graduates), Madison Area Technical College (6 graduates), and Woodbury University (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 77 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
25 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | newark.rutgers.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
|
6 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Woodbury University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Burbank, California | Private | woodbury.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Master's
|
5 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Apparel and Accessories Marketing programs
How much can I earn with a Apparel and Accessories Marketing degree?
Salaries for Apparel and Accessories Marketing graduates vary by role and location. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earn a median of $76,950 annually, while Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products earn around $66,780. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $86,745 compared to $54,840 in West Virginia. Approximately 2,128,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Apparel and Accessories Marketing programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Apparel and Accessories Marketing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Rutgers University, Newark (25 graduates), Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (13 graduates), and Kirkwood Community College (6 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Apparel and Accessories Marketing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 757 in 2010 to a peak of 136 in 2020, before declining slightly to 77 in 2023-24. This represents a 90% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Apparel and Accessories Marketing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products, . Related occupations employ approximately 2,128,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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