Family and Consumer Economics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Family and Consumer Economics explores the practical and theoretical dimensions of managing personal and family resources within broader economic and societal contexts. This interdisciplinary field equips learners with critical skills in financial decision-making, resource management, and sustainable living, preparing them to address real-world challenges in household and community settings.
- Personal Financial Management: Focuses on budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, and long-term financial planning to promote economic stability and independence.
- Consumer Behavior and Decision-Making: Examines how individuals and families make choices about goods, services, and lifestyles, considering psychological, social, and economic influences.
- Family Resource Management: Addresses the allocation of time, money, energy, and materials within households to optimize well-being and quality of life across the lifespan.
- Consumer Protection and Advocacy: Covers legal rights, product safety, ethical marketing practices, and strategies for informed consumer engagement in a complex marketplace.
- Home Economics and Sustainable Living: Integrates principles of housing, interior design, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship to create healthy, functional, and sustainable living environments.
- Food and Nutrition Economics: Investigates the economic factors affecting food access, dietary choices, meal planning, and the impact of nutrition on individual and public health.
Family and Consumer Economics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Family and Consumer Economics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Family and 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 |
Family and 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 Family and Consumer Economics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Family and 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 Family and Consumer Economics is found at University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (154 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (53 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNK), at Kearney (24 graduates), Virginia State University (VSU) (13 graduates), and University of Kentucky (UK) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 246 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 Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
154 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNK) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Kearney, Nebraska | Public | unk.edu |
| Virginia State University (VSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Petersburg, Virginia | Public | vsu.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Family and Consumer Economics programs
How much can I earn with a Family and Consumer Economics degree?
Salaries for Family and 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 Family and Consumer Economics programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Family and Consumer Economics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (154 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (53 graduates), and University of Nebraska (UNK), at Kearney (24 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 Economics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 297 in 2010 to a peak of 312 in 2020, before declining slightly to 246 in 2023-24. This represents a 17% 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 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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