Consumer Services and Advocacy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Consumer Services and Advocacy prepares students to serve as informed intermediaries between consumers and the marketplace, equipping them with the strategic knowledge and practical tools to safeguard public well-being. This interdisciplinary field emphasizes ethical representation, evidence-based decision-making, and systemic analysis to promote safer, more sustainable, and equitable consumption patterns across diverse communities.
- Consumer Advocacy: Explores frameworks for representing individual and collective consumer interests, including policy engagement, complaint resolution, and public awareness campaigns aimed at influencing industry practices and regulatory standards.
- Family Management Systems: Examines decision-making processes within households, focusing on budgeting, resource allocation, and long-term planning to enhance financial literacy and household resilience in dynamic economic environments.
- Ecological Impacts of Consumption Practices: Investigates the environmental consequences of product use and disposal, emphasizing sustainable consumption models, life-cycle analysis, and strategies to reduce ecological footprints across consumer sectors.
- Product Quality and Safety Analysis: Develops technical proficiency in evaluating consumer goods through testing protocols, risk assessment methodologies, and data interpretation to identify hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Consumer Services and Advocacy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Consumer Services and Advocacy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Consumer Services and Advocacy 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 Services and Advocacy 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 Services and Advocacy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Consumer Services and Advocacy 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 Services and Advocacy is found at Texas State University (TXST) (22 graduates), The University of Alabama (UA) (13 graduates), University of Utah (U of U) (3 graduates), South Dakota State University (SDSU) (1 graduates), and Carson-Newman University (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 40 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 State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Other Award
|
3 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Consumer Services and Advocacy programs
How much can I earn with a Consumer Services and Advocacy degree?
Salaries for Consumer Services and Advocacy 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 Services and Advocacy programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Consumer Services and Advocacy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas State University (TXST) (22 graduates), The University of Alabama (UA) (13 graduates), and University of Utah (U of U) (3 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 Services and Advocacy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3 in 2010 to 40 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,233% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Services and Advocacy 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.
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.
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...
Foods and Nutrition Services
Any instructional program in foods, nutrition, and related services not listed above.
Housing and Human Environments
A general program that focuses on the behavioral, social, economic, functional, and aesthetic aspects of housing, interiors, and other built environments. Includes instruction...
Facilities Planning and Management
A program that focuses on strategic workplace and facility planning and that prepares individuals to function as facility and event managers and workplace...