Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for future educators, this program equips aspiring professionals with the specialized knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to teach family and consumer sciences in secondary and postsecondary educational settings. It emphasizes practical, real-world applications of personal and family well-being, resource management, and consumer decision-making within diverse communities.
- Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum Development: Designing and implementing comprehensive lesson plans that align with national standards and address evolving societal needs in home economics education.
- Human Development Across the Lifespan: Studying physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth from infancy through later life to inform age-appropriate instructional strategies.
- Family and Consumer Systems: Analyzing how individuals, families, and communities interact with resources, environments, and institutions to promote well-being and sustainability.
- Consumer Education and Financial Literacy: Teaching critical skills in budgeting, credit management, responsible purchasing, and long-term financial planning for individuals and households.
- Food and Nutrition Science: Exploring the biological and chemical foundations of nutrition, dietary planning, food safety, and the impact of diet on health and disease prevention.
- Textiles and Apparel Management: Investigating fabric properties, garment construction, sustainable fashion practices, and the role of clothing in personal identity and cultural expression.
- Teaching Methods and Classroom Management: Mastering evidence-based instructional techniques, assessment strategies, and classroom leadership to foster inclusive, engaging learning environments.
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. 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 1,873,280 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1192 | $77,280 | $47,580 - $133,180 | 2,630 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2032 | $63,910 | $48,840 - $98,720 | 104,450 | N/A |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2023 | $63,620 | $47,090 - $98,430 | 14,200 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,532 in South Dakota to $92,798 in California—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,873,280 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 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 39 institutions offering Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education 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 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education is found at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) (20 graduates), Western Michigan University (WMU) (17 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (17 graduates), Utah State University (USU) (17 graduates), and CUNY Queens College (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 248 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
17 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
3 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Langston University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Langston, Oklahoma | Public | langston.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Snow College |
Associate's
|
1 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | pucpr.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,280 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $92,798 compared to $52,532 in South Dakota. Approximately 1,873,280 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 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education programs?
Currently 39 accredited institutions offer Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) (20 graduates), Western Michigan University (WMU) (17 graduates), and University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (17 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 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 542 in 2010 to a peak of 301 in 2020, before declining slightly to 248 in 2023-24. This represents a 54% 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 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,873,280 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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