[Family & Consumer Economics](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/family-consumer-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family & consumer economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family & consumer economics students.
Finding the Best Value Family & Consumer Economics School for You
The right family & consumer economics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for value among family & consumer economics schools in the United States. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $22,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $48,620. Set against $22,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $54,079. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & consumer economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $31,988 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #4 place for family & consumer economics. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $24,752. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,008. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee State University earned it the #5 place for family & consumer economics. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $30,099 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $32,793. Set against $30,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Virginia State University landed the #6 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,822. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $45,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for value in family & consumer economics this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $39,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #9 for value in family & consumer economics this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $23,546. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #11 for value in family & consumer economics this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $35,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #12 among the best values for family & consumer economics. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $17,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $43,014. Set against $17,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #13 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $18,062 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $53,900. That is a strong return on a $18,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
South Dakota State University placed #14 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $23,789 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $44,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in family & consumer economics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $46,474. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #16 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $27,750. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $64,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama placed #17 among the best values for family & consumer economics. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $23,750. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $41,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Family & Consumer Economics](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/family-consumer-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family & consumer economics education at a price that pays off.
