Family and Consumer Sciences Communication: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Family and Consumer Sciences Communication prepares students to effectively convey essential knowledge in human development, nutrition, financial literacy, and family well-being to diverse audiences. This interdisciplinary field integrates scientific research with strategic messaging to promote informed decision-making in everyday life through both traditional and digital communication platforms.
- Human Development and Family Dynamics: Explores stages of growth across the lifespan, family systems, and the social, emotional, and psychological factors that influence individual and family functioning.
- Nutrition and Health Communication: Focuses on translating complex nutritional science into accessible, actionable information for public health education and wellness promotion.
- Consumer Education and Financial Literacy: Equips individuals with tools to make informed choices about personal finance, product evaluation, and sustainable consumption practices.
- Media Production and Digital Communication: Develops skills in creating engaging content across print, broadcast, web, and social media platforms tailored to specific demographic and cultural contexts.
- Program Evaluation and Outreach Strategies: Teaches methods for assessing the impact of communication initiatives and designing targeted outreach efforts to maximize public engagement and behavior change.
Family and Consumer Sciences Communication Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Family and Consumer Sciences Communication Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Family and Consumer Sciences Communication degrees, including Technical Writers, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Writers and Authors. 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 386,550 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Writers 27-3042 | $91,670 | $54,400 - $130,430 | 55,530 | $44.07 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1192 | $77,280 | $47,580 - $133,180 | 2,630 | N/A |
| Writers and Authors 27-3043 | $72,270 | $41,080 - $133,680 | 47,800 | $34.75 |
| Public Relations Specialists 27-3031 | $69,780 | $40,750 - $129,480 | 280,590 | $33.55 |
Family and Consumer Sciences Communication Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $57,833 in Arkansas to $102,713 in District of Columbia—a 78% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 386,550 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 Communication by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 1 institutions offering Family and Consumer Sciences Communication 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 Communication is found at Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Family and Consumer Sciences Communication programs
How much can I earn with a Family and Consumer Sciences Communication degree?
Salaries for Family and Consumer Sciences Communication graduates vary by role and location. Technical Writers earn a median of $91,670 annually, while Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $77,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $102,713 compared to $57,833 in Arkansas. Approximately 386,550 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 Communication programs?
Currently 1 accredited institutions offer Family and Consumer Sciences Communication degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (1 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 Communication growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 20 in 2010 to a peak of 21 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1 in 2023-24. This represents a 95% 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 Communication degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Technical Writers, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Writers and Authors. Related occupations employ approximately 386,550 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.
Related Human Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Human Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Consumer Economics
A program that focuses on the application of micro- and macro-economic theory to consumer behavior and individual and family consumption of goods and...
Consumer Services and Advocacy
A program that focuses on providing end-use advice and representational services to individuals and groups within a variety of settings, and the analytical...
Family and Consumer Economics
Any instructional program in family and consumer economics and related services not listed above.
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
A general program that focuses on the role of foods and nutrition in human health and wellness. Includes instruction in nutritional care and...
Human Nutrition
A program that focuses on the relationships between food consumption and human development and health. Includes instruction in the cellular and molecular processes...
Foodservice Systems Management
A program that focuses on the principles and practices relating to the administration of food service systems in institutional settings, and that prepares...