Family and Consumer Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Family and Consumer Sciences is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex dynamics that shape individual and family well-being across diverse life stages and social contexts. This program equips learners with evidence-based knowledge and practical skills to address real-world challenges in personal, familial, and community life.
- Human Development Across the Lifespan – Explores physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth from infancy through older adulthood, emphasizing milestones and developmental transitions.
- Family Systems and Relationships – Analyzes the structure, function, and dynamics of family units, including communication patterns, conflict resolution, and the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors.
- Consumer Behavior and Financial Literacy – Investigates decision-making processes related to purchasing, budgeting, credit use, and long-term financial planning to promote economic stability and responsible consumption.
- Nutrition and Food Science – Focuses on dietary needs, meal planning, food safety, and the physiological impact of nutrients on health and disease prevention.
- Home Economics and Resource Management – Teaches efficient use of time, space, and material resources to enhance quality of life and support sustainable living practices.
- Textiles and Apparel Science – Covers fabric selection, clothing construction, textile properties, and the influence of fashion on identity, culture, and environmental sustainability.
- Community and Public Health Initiatives – Addresses strategies for improving population health through education, outreach, policy development, and collaboration with local organizations.
Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Family and Consumer Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Family and Consumer Sciences degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Farm and Home Management Educators. 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 1,085,430 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 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Family and Consumer Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,045 in Texas to $110,527 in California—a 130% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,085,430 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 by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 80 institutions offering Family and Consumer Sciences 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 is found at Texas Tech University (TTU) (329 graduates), California State University (CSULB), Long Beach (206 graduates), Montana State University (MSU) (145 graduates), The University of Alabama (UA) (129 graduates), and California State University (CSUN), Northridge (117 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,227 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
329 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
206 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
145 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
129 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
117 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
117 | Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
108 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
63 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
48 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
48 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
47 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
35 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Hammond, Louisiana | Public | southeastern.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
30 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| South Carolina State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Public | scsu.edu |
| Jacksonville State University (JSU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Jacksonville, Alabama | Public | jsu.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
28 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| Southern University and A & M College (SUBR) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | subr.edu |
| Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Associate's
|
20 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Princess Anne, Maryland | Public | wwwcp.umes.edu |
| Delta State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Cleveland, Mississippi | Public | deltastate.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Martin, Tennessee | Public | utm.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Arizona Western College (AWC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Yuma, Arizona | Public | azwestern.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| Bridgewater College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Bridgewater, Virginia | Private | bridgewater.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Alabama A & M University (AAMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Normal, Alabama | Public | aamu.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Fort Valley State University (FVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Fort Valley, Georgia | Public | fvsu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAPB) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | uapb.edu |
| University of Montevallo |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Montevallo, Alabama | Public | montevallo.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
8 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Master's
|
7 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Chadron State College (CSC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Chadron, Nebraska | Public | csc.edu |
| Texas Southern University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Houston, Texas | Public | tsu.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Associate's
|
5 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU) |
Master's
|
5 | Prairie View, Texas | Public | pvamu.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Other Award
|
5 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Mississippi University for Women (MUW) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Columbus, Mississippi | Public | muw.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Snow College |
Associate's
|
4 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
|
3 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Meredith College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | meredith.edu |
| East Central University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | ecok.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | Public | wncc.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Master's
|
1 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Family and Consumer Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Family and Consumer Sciences degree?
Salaries for Family and Consumer Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,280 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $110,527 compared to $48,045 in Texas. Approximately 1,085,430 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 programs?
Currently 80 accredited institutions offer Family and Consumer Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas Tech University (TTU) (329 graduates), California State University (CSULB), Long Beach (206 graduates), and Montana State University (MSU) (145 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 growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,719 in 2010 to a peak of 3,362 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,227 in 2023-24. This represents a 53% 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 degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Farm and Home Management Educators. Related occupations employ approximately 1,085,430 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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