SOCIAL STUDIES
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Teaching, curriculum design, and school leadership degrees that lead directly to K-12 classrooms, special education, and administration careers in schools.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Family & Consumer Sciences
Child development, nutrition, family counseling, and consumer economics — applied social science with direct career paths in community health and social services. Graduates earn a national median of $48,460 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,199 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 51,926 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $34,030
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $48,460
- Colleges Offering
- 1,199
- Graduates / Year
- 51,926
- Specializations
- 8
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $16,660
Is a Family & Consumer Sciences Degree Right for You?
$48,460
Median earnings · 4yr
+6.6%
10yr job growth
8
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3.6
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $48,460 after 4 years. Against an estimated $66,640 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.6 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Family & Consumer Sciences Majors Earn?
Family & Consumer Sciences graduates start at a median $34,030 one year out and reach $48,460 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,199 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$34,030
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$48,460
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$50,525
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Family & Consumer Sciences specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $64,926/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $46,475/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$46,475
Lowest
$48,460
Median
$64,926
Highest
What Can You Do With a Family & Consumer Sciences Degree?
Career Paths for Family & Consumer Sciences Graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Marketing Manager leads in median earnings at $166,790/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Marketing Manager
Bachelor's degree
$166,790
↗ +6.6% growth
Sales Manager
Bachelor's degree
$148,270
↗ +4.7% growth
Materials Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$117,790
↗ +4.9% growth
Facilities Managers
Bachelor's degree
$106,660
↗ +3.8% growth
Personal Financial Advisor
Bachelor's degree
$105,070
↗ +9.6% growth
Technical Writers
Bachelor's degree
$90,390
↗ +0.9% growth
Fashion Designer
Bachelor's degree
$80,960
↗ +2.0% growth
Market Research Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$78,760
↗ +6.7% growth
Family & Consumer Sciences Specializations
Family & Consumer Sciences spans 8 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $46,475 to $64,926 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Family & Consumer Sciences
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Family & Consumer Sciences graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Rexburg, ID · Nonprofit
Acceptance
95.8%
Net price/yr
$8,221
Earnings 10yr
$53,406
Grad rate
46%
2
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · Public
Acceptance
76.7%
Net price/yr
$22,420
Earnings 10yr
$59,221
Grad rate
62%
3
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX · Public
Acceptance
72.7%
Net price/yr
$19,070
Earnings 10yr
$62,454
Grad rate
60%
4
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
Acceptance
54.8%
Net price/yr
$24,953
Earnings 10yr
$81,698
Grad rate
81%
5
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
Acceptance
46.3%
Net price/yr
$10,440
Earnings 10yr
$64,403
Grad rate
78%
6
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE · Public
Acceptance
87.5%
Net price/yr
$17,747
Earnings 10yr
$56,887
Grad rate
60%
7
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public
Acceptance
88.5%
Net price/yr
$21,279
Earnings 10yr
$60,543
Grad rate
64%
8
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
9
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
Acceptance
37.7%
Net price/yr
$13,936
Earnings 10yr
$68,726
Grad rate
76%
10
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$11,297
Earnings 10yr
$61,675
Grad rate
78%
11
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$17,339
Earnings 10yr
$60,409
Grad rate
66%
12
University of Houston
Houston, TX · Public
Acceptance
73.9%
Net price/yr
$14,276
Earnings 10yr
$62,377
Grad rate
60%
13
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Nonprofit
Acceptance
67.8%
Net price/yr
$15,564
Earnings 10yr
$75,790
Grad rate
66%
14
Auburn University
Auburn, AL · Public
Acceptance
45.9%
Net price/yr
$24,323
Earnings 10yr
$65,337
Grad rate
73%
15
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR · Public
Acceptance
77.3%
Net price/yr
$19,604
Earnings 10yr
$64,010
Grad rate
57%
16
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA · Public
Acceptance
97.4%
Net price/yr
$9,320
Earnings 10yr
$71,401
Grad rate
57%
17
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX · Public
Acceptance
96.1%
Net price/yr
$11,963
Earnings 10yr
$56,544
Grad rate
58%
18
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance
26.6%
Net price/yr
$19,857
Earnings 10yr
$75,121
Grad rate
81%
19
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS · Public
Acceptance
81.7%
Net price/yr
$19,406
Earnings 10yr
$57,262
Grad rate
59%
20
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Stillwater, OK · Public
Acceptance
75%
Net price/yr
$17,447
Earnings 10yr
$57,413
Grad rate
57%
Ranked by number of Family & Consumer Sciences graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Family & Consumer Sciences Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Family & Consumer Sciences degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Family & Consumer Sciences degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Family & Consumer Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons
Family & Consumer Sciences carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 3 strengths and 1 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +9.6% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Personal Financial Advisor.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,199 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $34,030 at graduation to $48,460 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $48,460 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
Family & Consumer Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Family & Consumer Sciences graduates earn?
Family & Consumer Sciences graduates earn a national median of $48,460 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Family & Consumer Sciences degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Family & Consumer Sciences degree holders is $34,030 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Family & Consumer Sciences degree?
Family & Consumer Sciences degree holders work in a range of careers. Marketing Manager is one of the top roles by median wage ($166,790/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Family & Consumer Sciences?
1,199 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Family & Consumer Sciences, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Family & Consumer Sciences degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $48,460 and an average net price of roughly $16,660/yr across institutions offering this major, a Family & Consumer Sciences degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Family & Consumer Sciences degree?
A bachelor's degree in Family & Consumer Sciences typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Family & Consumer Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Family & Consumer Sciences graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, data analysis, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Employers in government, nonprofit, and research roles look for experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, and statistical analysis.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Family & Consumer Sciences graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Family & Consumer Sciences graduates is moderate, with an average of +4.9% projected growth across related occupations. Personal Financial Advisor is among the strongest-growth roles at +9.6%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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-
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Majors
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Careers
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