2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools in the Southwest Region
[Family & Consumer Economics](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/family-consumer-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family & consumer economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family & consumer economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools
For return on investment in family & consumer economics, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,026. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $54,079. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for family & consumer economics. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $24,752. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $42,008. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & consumer economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,822. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $45,666. That is a strong return on a $19,822 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & consumer economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $27,750. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $64,842 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Family & Consumer Economics Schools by State
More Family & Consumer Economics Rankings
View All Family & Consumer Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
