Family & Consumer Sciences graduates earn $48,460 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,712 and $63,003. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Family & Consumer Sciences is a specialized field of study. Graduates typically earn around $48,460 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 119 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,454 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,748
Median Earnings · 4yr
$48,460
Colleges Offering
119
Graduates / Year
2,454
Avg Net Price / yr
$14,489
How Much Do Family & Consumer Sciences Graduates Earn?
Family & Consumer Sciences graduates earn $48,460 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,712 and $63,003. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $31,748 climbs to $48,460 by year four.
$31,748
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$48,460
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$46,136
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Family & Consumer Sciences graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$34,71225th pct.
$48,460Median
$63,00375th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $48,460 and an estimated $57,956 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.1 years.
Based on outcomes from 108 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,454 students who complete Family & Consumer Sciences programs each year, the majority (83%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
83%
Bachelor's83%
Master's9%
Associate's5%
What Can You Do With a Family & Consumer Sciences Degree?
Family & Consumer Sciences connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Secondary School Teacher leads at $72,040/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingSocial Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.
Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
Top Colleges for Family & Consumer Sciences
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Family & Consumer Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Family & Consumer Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Family & Consumer Sciences is one of 8 specializations within Family & Consumer Sciences. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Family & Consumer Sciences carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $31,748 at graduation to $48,460 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 67,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $48,460 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($34,712) and 75th ($63,003) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
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 program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,712 and $63,003. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Family & Consumer Sciences degree?
One year after graduation, Family & Consumer Sciences degree holders earn a median of $31,748. That climbs to $48,460 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Family & Consumer Sciences degree?
Family & Consumer Sciences degree holders pursue careers including Secondary School Teacher, which pays a median of $72,040/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Family & Consumer Sciences program take?
A Family & Consumer Sciences bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Family & Consumer Sciences?
119 colleges and universities in the United States offer Family & Consumer Sciences programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Family & Consumer Sciences degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $48,460 and an average net price of roughly $14,489/yr, a Family & Consumer Sciences degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What skills do employers look for in Family & Consumer Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Family & Consumer Sciences graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Family & Consumer Sciences graduates?
The job outlook for Family & Consumer Sciences graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of -2.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Secondary School Teacher is among the strongest-growth roles at -1.6%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Other programs in Family & Consumer Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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