by our College Data Analytics TeamDelve into the fascinating exploration of the policies and processes that contribute to successful individual or family management. A major in Family and Consumer Economics will allow you to study the science of family life as well as microeconomics, macroeconomics and how the economy affects the consumer. You will also study financial goal setting, debt management and how to prevent and resolve financial difficulties. The goal of the major is to improve the experiences of the consumer by learning about sales and resource management at all levels. You will also learn how consumers are influenced by marketing and the consequences of advertising deception.
Some courses that you may take while studying include: consumer behavior, price theory, advanced mathematics, economic forecasting, microeconomics, macroeconomics, indexing, and commodities analysis.
Concentrations within this major include Family Resource Management, Consumer Economics, and Consumer Services and Advocacy.
A major in Family & Consumer Economics covers Family And Consumer Economics And Related Studies. Read on to learn the key facts every family & consumer economics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering family & consumer economics programs.
Across the country, family & consumer economics is a popular field of study, with 1,166 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Family & Consumer Economics Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for family & consumer economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of family & consumer economics programs later in this article.
Studies in Family & Consumer Economics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations family & consumer economics graduates commonly enter.
To be successful in this major you should feel comfortable taking the leadership role. You will be the guiding factor in the lives of many people by empowering consumers to make good economic decisions. Patience and empathy are valuable traits as you work with individuals and families to help understand their spending behaviors and family finances.
Be prepared to take multiple classes in math, economics, social sciences, public policy, and computer technology. You will be applying the knowledge you've gained in your classes to consumers through social sciences and public policy. You should be able to effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Skills developed in a family & consumer economics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a family & consumer economics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several family & consumer economics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 928 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 231 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to family & consumer economics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 51.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in family & consumer economics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates will have a broad education they can use in a variety of fields. Those who are able to analyze and communicate consumer issues are valuable to many employers. There is always a need for consumer affairs in all different areas like business, government, and social services. Some graduates also go into financial planning and counseling. Additional career opportunities could be in consumer education, consumer affairs, marketing, or even media. You may also work solely in family financial management and work with social service agencies.
A degree in family & consumer economics prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to family & consumer economics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to family & consumer economics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 311,008 | 6.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of family & consumer economics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $41,182 |
| 4 years | $45,170 |
| 5 years | $51,999 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for family & consumer economics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers family & consumer economics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $91,777 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 26 different family & consumer economics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased family & consumer economics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in family & consumer economics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Family Resource Management Studies, General | 789 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other | 246 |
| Consumer Economics | 91 |
| Consumer Services and Advocacy | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
