Only 32 colleges in the country offer Family and Consumer Economics, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $53,262.
Family and Consumer Economics is a focused area of study within Family & Consumer Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $53,262 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 32 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,208 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$40,141
Median Earnings · 4yr
$53,262
Colleges Offering
32
Graduates / Year
1,208
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,424
How Much Do Family and Consumer Economics Graduates Earn?
Family and Consumer Economics graduates earn $53,262 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,377 and $72,720.
$40,141
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$53,262
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$53,055
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Family and Consumer Economics graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$39,37725th pct.
$53,262Median
$72,72075th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $53,262 and an estimated $65,696 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.8 years.
Based on outcomes from 28 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,208 students who complete Family and Consumer Economics programs each year, the majority (80%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
80%
Bachelor's80%
Master's13%
Post-Bacc Cert.5%
What Can You Do With a Family and Consumer Economics Degree?
Family and Consumer Economics connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Personal Financial Advisor leads at $105,070/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.
Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
Analyze financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingSocial Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.
Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
Top Colleges for Family and Consumer Economics
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Family and Consumer Economics students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Family and Consumer Economics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Family and Consumer Economics is one of 8 specializations within Family & Consumer Sciences. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Family and Consumer Economics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Family and Consumer Economics shows 3 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $40,141 at graduation to $53,262 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +9.6% over the next decade, with Personal Financial Advisor among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 25,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $53,262 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($39,377) and 75th ($72,720) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Family and Consumer Economics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Family and Consumer Economics graduates earn?
Family and Consumer Economics graduates earn a national median of $53,262 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,377 and $72,720. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Family and Consumer Economics degree?
One year after graduation, Family and Consumer Economics degree holders earn a median of $40,141. That climbs to $53,262 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Family and Consumer Economics degree?
Family and Consumer Economics degree holders pursue careers including Personal Financial Advisor, which pays a median of $105,070/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Family and Consumer Economics program take?
A Family and Consumer Economics bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Family and Consumer Economics?
32 colleges and universities in the United States offer Family and Consumer Economics programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Family and Consumer Economics degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $53,262 and an average net price of roughly $16,424/yr, a Family and Consumer Economics degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Family and Consumer Economics and Family & Consumer Sciences?
Family and Consumer Economics is a focused concentration within the broader Family & Consumer Sciences field. The Family & Consumer Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Family and Consumer Economics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Family and Consumer Economics graduates?
Employers hiring Family and Consumer Economics graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Family and Consumer Economics graduates?
The job outlook for Family and Consumer Economics graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.6% job growth over the next 10 years. Personal Financial Advisor is among the strongest-growth roles at +9.6%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Other programs in Family & Consumer Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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