Consumer Economics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Consumer Economics explores the economic forces shaping how individuals and households make decisions about spending, saving, and resource allocation. This interdisciplinary field applies core principles of micro- and macroeconomics to understand real-world consumption patterns, market dynamics, and the broader impact of economic policies on daily life.
- Microeconomic Theory: Examines individual and household decision-making processes, including preferences, budget constraints, and utility maximization in the context of consumer choices.
- Macroeconomic Context: Analyzes how national and global economic trends—such as inflation, employment, and interest rates—affect consumer purchasing power and long-term financial behavior.
- Economic Modeling: Develops quantitative frameworks to simulate consumer behavior under varying economic conditions, enabling predictive insights into market responses.
- Economic Forecasting: Uses historical data and statistical methods to anticipate shifts in consumer demand, spending habits, and the performance of key market sectors.
- Price Theory: Investigates how prices are determined in markets and how pricing strategies influence consumer choices, market competition, and overall economic efficiency.
- Indexing and Measurement: Focuses on constructing and interpreting economic indicators—such as consumer price indices—to track changes in living costs and inflation over time.
- Commodity and Service Analysis: Studies the characteristics, demand patterns, and market dynamics of specific goods and services, including both individual items and related product categories.
Consumer Economics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Consumer Economics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Consumer Economics degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 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 12,890 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 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Consumer Economics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $31,760 in Georgia to $116,435 in California—a 267% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Idaho, and Louisiana. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 12,890 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 Consumer Economics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Consumer Economics 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 Consumer Economics is found at University of Georgia (UGA) (41 graduates), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (32 graduates), South Dakota State University (SDSU) (17 graduates), and Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 91 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 Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Associate's
|
1 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Consumer Economics programs
How much can I earn with a Consumer Economics degree?
Salaries for Consumer Economics graduates vary by role and location. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,280 annually, while Farm and Home Management Educators earn around $58,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $116,435 compared to $31,760 in Georgia. Approximately 12,890 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 Consumer Economics programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Consumer Economics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Georgia (UGA) (41 graduates), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (32 graduates), and South Dakota State University (SDSU) (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 Consumer Economics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 311 in 2010 to a peak of 125 in 2020, before declining slightly to 91 in 2023-24. This represents a 71% 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 Consumer Economics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Farm and Home Management Educators, . Related occupations employ approximately 12,890 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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